集神州三寶感通錄 3.40

3.40

At that time in the Sichuan region, there was also the monk Baoqiong, a native of Mianzhu. Having renounced the household life, he was pure and plain, reading and reciting the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā once every two days. He had no other methods or arts, prioritizing only the encouragement of faith in the Buddha. His native district and the adjacent Shifang were entirely of the Rice Clan (Daoists). Originally they did not revere the Buddha, and śramaṇas did not enter their villages; hence among the elders and women, many did not know [the Dharma]. Qiong, wishing to deliver them, waited until their assembly gathered, and thereupon went to attend it, sitting down without bowing. The Daoist faction all said: 'One who does not bow to the Heavenly Venerable is not a śramaṇa.' Qiong said: 'The heterodox and orthodox ways are different; what we revere is distinct. Even devas bow to me; how could I bow to Laozi?' The assembly's arguments grew turbulent. Qiong said: 'If I bow, it will surely bring disgrace.' Thereupon he made one bow, and the Daoist image together with its pedestal shook and became unstable. He made another bow, and the image together with its pedestal toppled over and lay shattered on the ground. The entire assembly then bowed to Qiong, instantly converting to faith. They then invited eminent monks from Chengdu to come and transform them. In the eighth year of Zhenguan, he died at his residence.