法苑珠林 17.19

17.19

晉南宮子敖。始平人也。戍新平城為乞伏虜兒長樂公所破。合城數千人皆被誅害。子敖雖分必死。而猶至心念觀世音。既而次至于敖。群刃交下或高或低。持刀之人忽疲懈四支不隨。爾時長樂公親自臨刑。驚問之。子敖聊爾答云。能作馬鞍。乃令原釋。子敖亦不知所以作此言。時後遂得遁逸。造小形像。貯以香函。行則頂戴云。

Nangong Zi'ao of the Jin was a native of Shiping. While garrisoning Xinping city, it was breached by the Duke of Changle, a barbarian of the Qifu. Several thousand people in the entire city were put to death. Though Zi'ao was certain he would die, he still remembered Avalokiteśvara with utmost devotion. When his turn came, blades came down from above and below, but the executioners suddenly became weak and their limbs would not obey them. At that time, the Duke of Changle personally oversaw the execution and asked him in astonishment. Zi'ao casually answered, "I can make saddles." He was therefore pardoned and released. Zi'ao himself did not know why he had said those words. Later, he managed to escape. He fashioned a small image, stored it in a scented box, and carried it upon his head wherever he went.