法苑珠林 28.40

28.40

唐武德三年也。明從雒宮安然而出。周圍五重初不見迹。審偽都之將敗故西達京師。太武皇帝夙奉音問深知神異。特隆禮敬。勅住化度寺。數引禁中具陳徵應。及後事會咸同契合。以其年八月。忽然不見。衣資什物儼在房中。尋下追徵。遍國周訪了無所獲。有所諮學者。常以平等一法志而奉之。然記諸道俗過未苦樂等報皆有靈驗。行至總持顧僧眾曰。此寺不久當有血流。宜共慎之。恰都師法該等私度世充兒孫。尋被收錄戮之都市。方悔前失追不可及。

the third year of Wude of the Tang, Ming walked calmly out from the palace of Luoyang. Though there were five concentric layers of guards, not a footprint of his was ever seen. Knowing for certain that the counterfeit capital was about to fall, he went west to reach the imperial capital. Emperor Taiwu had long heard of him and was deeply aware of his divine anomalies; he showed him extraordinary reverence and by decree had him reside at Huadu Temple. He frequently summoned him into the forbidden quarters to fully relate signs and omens, and subsequent events all matched his predictions. In the eighth month of that year, he suddenly disappeared. His robes, provisions, and utensils remained intact in his room. Imperial orders were immediately issued to pursue and track him, searching the entire realm far and wide, but nothing was found. Whenever people inquired of him for learning, he always instructed them to keep and uphold with determination the single Dharma of impartiality. Furthermore, his records predicting the future suffering, joy, and other retributions of both clergy and laity all proved wonderfully efficacious. Once, on walking to Zongchi Temple, he looked at the assembly of monks and said: 'Before long, blood will flow in this temple. You should all be cautious together.' Just then, the Metropolitan Rectors Fagai and others secretly ordained the sons and grandsons of Wang Shichong. Soon they were arrested and executed in the capital's marketplace. Only then did people regret their earlier lapse, when it was already too late.