經律異相 41.39

41.39

In the past, there was a brāhmaṇa who served non-Buddhists. His wife served the Buddha. She said to her husband, "Permit me to be a maidservant to the Buddha, hanging banners and canopies, burning incense, and lighting lamps." Her husband would not allow it. She then made a banner, hung it inside the house, and bowed to it morning and evening. The husband slaughtered oxen and sheep and called for a diviner to explain the matter. When the diviner arrived at his gate, he said to him, "Your house has a Buddhist banner and canopy; I dare not enter." [The husband] immediately went in to question his wife, searched, and found the banner. The husband in anger beat his wife. The wife then threw herself into a river. Her utmost sincerity moved the spirits, and the river water dried up for her. Naturally, a canopy of seven precious gems appeared over her. When the husband saw this auspicious sign, he realized that the Buddha was worthy of reverence. He immediately abandoned non-Buddhist ways and served the Great Dharma. (Extracted from the Piyu jing).