法苑珠林 26.37

26.37

元魏之時。有北代乘禪師。常受持法華精勤不懈。命終中陰託河東薛氏為第五子。生而能言。自陳宿業不願處俗。其父任北棣州刺史。其第五郎隨任便往。中山至七帝寺。尋得前世本時弟子。語曰。汝頗憶從我渡水往狼山不。乘禪師者。即我身是。吾房中靈机可速除却。弟子聞驗抱師悲慟哀傷。人眾道俗奇怪將為大徵。父母戀惜。恐其出家便與納室。爾後便忘宿命之事。而常興厭離常樂靜居（右一驗出唐高僧傳）。

During the Yuan Wei dynasty, there was Chan Master Cheng of Beidai, who constantly upheld the Lotus Sūtra with diligent and unflagging effort. At the end of his life, his intermediate existence (antarābhava) took rebirth in the Xue clan of Hedong as their fifth son. Born able to speak, he related his past karma and did not wish to dwell in worldly life. His father served as Prefect of North Dizhou, and his fifth son accompanied him to his post. Reaching the Qidi Temple in Zhongshan, he sought out and found his disciple from his former life and said to him, "Do you recall crossing the river with me to go to Mount Lang? Chan Master Cheng was none other than myself. The memorial table in my room can be quickly removed." When the disciple heard this proof, he embraced his master, weeping with deep sorrow. The monks and laypeople were astonished, regarding it as a great sign. His parents were reluctant to part with him; fearing that he would leave the household, they arranged a marriage for him. Thereafter, he forgot the affairs of his past life, yet he constantly gave rise to revulsion [toward the world] and ever delighted in quiet dwelling. (The above one verification is from the Tang Gaoseng zhuan.)