法苑珠林 57.42

57.42

唐永徽五年。京城外東南有陂名苟家嘴。有靈泉。鄉里長姓程名華。秋季輸炭。時程華已取一炭丁錢足。此人家貧復不識文字。不取他抄。程華後時復從丁索炭。炭丁不伏。程華言。我若得儞錢。將汝抄來。炭丁云。吾不識文字。汝語吾云。我既得汝錢足何須用抄。吾聞此語遂信不取。何因今日復從吾索錢。程華不信因果。遂為他炭丁立誓云。我若得汝錢。願我死後為汝作牛。炭丁懊惱別舉錢與之。程華未經三五月身亡。即託炭丁牸牛處胎。後生犢子。遍體皆黑唯額上有一雙白。程華字分明。人見皆識程華。兒女倍加將錢。救贖不與。其牛尚在（左近村人同見說之）。

In the fifth year of the Yonghui era of the Tang, southeast outside the capital, there was a pond called Goujiazui where there was a wondrous spring. The village head, named Cheng Hua, was collecting the autumn charcoal tax. At that time, Cheng Hua had already received the full payment in cash from a charcoal corvée laborer. This man was poor and illiterate, and did not obtain a written receipt from him. Later, Cheng Hua again demanded charcoal from the laborer. The laborer refused to comply. Cheng Hua said: 'If I had received your money, produce your receipt.' The charcoal laborer said: 'I am illiterate. You told me, "Since I have received your money in full, what need is there for a receipt?" Hearing these words, I trusted you and did not take one. For what reason do you demand money from me again today?' Cheng Hua did not believe in cause and effect, and so made an oath to the laborer, saying: 'If I have taken your money, may I become an ox for you after my death!' Distressed, the laborer raised money elsewhere and gave it to him. Within three to five months, Cheng Hua died, and his soul entered the womb of the laborer's cow. Later, a calf was born. Its whole body was completely black, but on its forehead was a pair of white markings, clearly forming the characters 'Cheng Hua'. Everyone who saw it recognized Cheng Hua. His children offered double the money to redeem it, but the laborer would not give it up. The ox is still alive. (Eyewitnesses from neighboring villages all relate this).