法苑珠林 62.54

62.54

宋齊僧欽者。江陵人也。家門奉法。年十許歲時。善相占云。年不過三六。父母兄弟甚為憂懼。僧欽亦增加勤敬齋戒精苦。至年十七宋景平末得病危篤。家中齋祈彌勵。亦淫祀求福。疾終不愈。時有一女巫云。此郎福力猛盛。魔魍所不敢親。自有善神護之。然病久不差。運命或將有限。世有探命之術。少事天神。頗曉其數。當為君試効之。於野中設酒脯之饋。燒香然燈。或如寢寐。須臾復興。夕中一兩如此。經七日七夕云。始有感見見諸善神。方為此郎祈禱蒙益兩算矣。病必得愈。無所憂也。僧欽於是遂差。彌加精至。其後二十四年而終。如巫所言。則一算十二年矣（右此三人出冥祥記）。

Shi Sengqin of the Song and Qi was a native of Jiangling. His family served the Dharma. When he was about ten years old, an adept physiognomist predicted: ‘His years will not exceed three sixes (eighteen).’ His parents and brothers were extremely worried and frightened. Sengqin also increased his diligent reverence, observing fasts and precepts with rigorous austerity. When he reached seventeen years of age, at the end of the Jingping era of the Song, he fell critically ill. His family’s fasts and prayers became ever more fervent, and they also resorted to popular sacrifices to seek blessings, yet the illness still did not heal. At that time, there was a female shaman who said: ‘This young gentleman’s power of merit is vigorous and strong; demons and monsters dare not approach him, and naturally good spirits protect him. Yet since the illness has gone on long without remitting, his destined lifespan might be nearing its limit. In this world there is an art for exploring lifespan; in my youth I served heavenly spirits and understand their calculations quite well. I shall test its efficacy on your behalf.’ Out in the wilderness, she set out offerings of wine and dried meat, burned incense, and lit lamps; at times she seemed to fall asleep, and shortly after rose again, doing this once or twice in an evening. After seven days and seven nights, she said: ‘Only now was there a sympathetic manifestation; I saw various good spirits. Just as I prayed for this young gentleman, he was granted an increase of two tallies (suan). His illness will surely be healed; have no worries.’ Thereupon Sengqin recovered, and became even more refined and devoted. Twenty-four years later he passed away; according to what the shaman said, one tally is twelve years. (The above three people are from the Mingxiang ji.)