集神州三寶感通錄 3.58

3.58

About forty li west of Xinfan County, southwest of Yizhou, there is Wangli Village. During the Sui dynasty, there was a scholar surnamed Xun who taught here; he was exceptionally skilled at calligraphy but did not reveal his talent. When people asked him for writings, he steadfastly refused to produce any. Even when they compelled him, he still would not do so. Thereupon, with his brush, he wrote the Prajñā Sūtra facing all four directions in the open air to the east of the village ahead, finishing it in a few days. He said, "This sūtra is intended for the various devas to read." At first, the people did not perceive its numinous quality. Later, when heavy thunder and rain poured down, boys tending cattle stood at the place where the sūtra had been written and were not drenched at all; the ground there was dry for about a zhang or so, while outside it water flowed and pooled. When it cleared, the villagers marvelled at it. Thereafter, whenever it rained, the boys would always gather there, their clothes staying dry. During the Wude era, an extraordinary monk said to the villagers: "The Prajñā Sūtra is in the air at this place. Villagers must not defile it; the various devas have set up a canopy covering it above, so one must not tread lightly upon it." Because of this, railings were installed around the four sides and humans and animals were not permitted to tread upon it. Even now, it remains dry when it rains. On fast days, villagers go there to make offerings, and the sound of heavenly music frequently gathers and fills their ears.