法苑珠林 73.35

73.35

梁時有人為縣令。經劉敬躬縣廨被焚。寄寺而住。民將牛酒作禮縣令。以牛繫剎。屏除形像鋪設床座。於堂上接賓。未殺之頃牛解徑來。至階而拜。縣令大笑。命左右宰之。飲噉飽酒便臥簷下。投醒即覺體痒。把搔𤻘胗。因爾須臾變成大患。經十餘年便死。

During the Liang dynasty, there was a man serving as a county magistrate. When the county offices were burned down during [the rebellion of] Liu Jinggong, he lodged at a temple. The common people brought beef and wine as gifts for the magistrate. He tied the ox to the temple pillar, removed the Buddhist images, set out couches and mats, and received his guests in the main hall. Shortly before it was to be slaughtered, the ox broke free and came straight to the steps, bowing in obeisance. The magistrate laughed heartily and ordered his attendants to butcher it. After drinking and eating his fill of wine [and meat], he went to lie down under the eaves. Upon awakening, he felt his body itching, and scratching it produced raised weals. In a moment, this developed into a severe malady, and after more than ten years, he died.