集神州三寶感通錄 3.23

3.23

The *Biographies of Eminent Monks* states: During the early Yuanjia era of the Song dynasty, there was a novice of Huanglong named Dharmodgata (Tanwujie) who recited the *Avalokiteśvara Sūtra* and cleanly cultivated ascetic practices. Together with twenty-five companions and disciples, he went to seek the Buddha land. Having experienced every desolation and danger, his steadfast resolve grew all the firmer. Once they reached Śrāvastī in India, they encountered a herd of wild mountain elephants along the road. Dharmodgata held the scripture, recited with mindfulness, invoked the name, and took refuge. A lion emerged from the forest, and the elephants fled in panic. Again, a herd of wild oxen came roaring and bellowing, intending to harm them; Dharmodgata took refuge as before, and a great vulture came flying, whereupon the oxen dispersed in alarm. Thus he succeeded in escaping.