集神州三寶感通錄 3.67

3.67

In the time of Emperor Huan of the Han, there was the śramaṇa An Qing, courtesy name Shigao, who was the crown prince of the King of Parthia. Giving up the throne, he went forth from household life and attained holy fruition. He recounted of himself that in a past life he had once arrived in Guangzhou, where he encountered an old enemy. Upon seeing him, the man spat on his hands and pursued him with a knife. Shigao said, 'Your former grudge has still not been removed.' The man said, 'Now I truly have you!' [Shigao] then stretched out his neck and received the blade, meeting his end there. In this life he was born as the crown prince, and that was Shigao’s person. He had a fellow student who was fond of giving but possessed much anger. Shigao said, 'In your understanding of the scriptures and fondness for giving, you are not behind me; yet you have much anger and wrath—what will your karmic retribution be in your next life?' That person said, 'When things come to trouble me, it is truly difficult to bear. When I receive my retribution, I hope you will deign to rescue me.' Shigao consented. After that person died, he became the spirit of Gongting Lake in this land. His awe-inspiring power held sway over a thousand li upstream and downstream. He answered prayers, bestowed blessings, and divided the wind for those sailing with or against the current. Shigao traveled extensively through the Central Plains and was about to go and liberate him. Taking passage on a boat, he arrived at the lake. The boatmen offered sacrifices to pray for blessings. The spirit said, 'The śramaṇa on board the boat may be summoned here.' He was immediately summoned and arrived. The spirit said, 'Formerly, you and I were fellow students. But because of my frequent anger, I received the retribution of being a spirit. My life is ending at any moment, and upon death I will enter hell. However, fearing that this corporeal frame will pollute the rivers and lakes, it should be moved to the western shore. I have a thousand bolts of cloth and silk, along with precious objects, which may be used to cultivate merit.' Shigao said, 'I have purposely come to visit you and recount our former ties. When retribution arrives, it is difficult to avoid; what is the use of long lamentations? You may reveal your true form, and my mind's wish will be completely fulfilled.' The spirit said, 'My hideous form is shameful; how could I show it to others?' Shigao said, 'Just come out; there will be no harm.' The spirit then emerged from behind the seat; it was indeed a giant python. It stretched its neck onto Shigao's knees. Seeing it, Shigao’s tears flowed like a spring, and the python also wept. [Shigao] then performed three sections of barbarian chanting to remove the small vermin within its scales, and moreover spoke several hundred words in a barbarian tongue. After that, the python gradually withdrew into hiding. Shigao ordered the boatmen to take all the wealth and treasures, loaded them toward Yuzhang, and hoisted sail heading west. The python again ascended the mountain, showing its body to gaze into the far distance. Spending the night at a river port, a person in dark-blue clothing boarded the boat and said, 'Having received the cultivation of merit on my behalf, I have been spared the realms of suffering and have attained the utmost peace and joy.' Shigao used those goods to build the Eastern Temple for him. The next day, in the marshes west of the river, there was a dead python; its head and tail were extremely far apart. The present Snake Head and Snake Tail Villages of Xunyang are named for this. Shigao again went to Guangzhou, inquired whether the person who had formerly slain him was still alive, took his hand to resolve the enmity, and became his good friend. He also said, 'A small debt has not yet been repaid; I must go to Kuaiji.' When he reached the marketplace there was a riotous brawl, and he was mistakenly beaten to death, and so forth.