法苑珠林 14.16

14.16

After Emperor Wu, the founder of the Liang, ascended the throne, he venerated Buddhism and abolished the Daoist teachings. He frequently invited eminent monks to converse on the profound tenets. He also made two life-sized images, one in gold and one in silver, and paid homage to them morning and evening in the Chongyun Hall. For some fifty years, in winter and summer, he trod the stone during the six periods of the day without missing a single time; at the place where his feet trod the stone, the patterns of his ten toes became visible. His reign eventually came to an end. When Hou Jing usurped the throne, the offerings to them were still maintained. Grand Defender Wang Sengbian punished Jing and restored the Palace City. At that time Emperor Yuan was captured in Jiangling, leaving the region south of the Yangtze without a ruler. Sengbian thereupon entered into communication with the Qi and welcomed Xiao Yuanming, the Marquis of Zhenyang, to be emperor. At that time the Jiangzuo region was not yet settled, and factions vied for power. Sengbian dispatched his son-in-law Du Kan to command the palace guard. Kan was by nature violent and obstinate, having no regard for the future. He wished to destroy the two images to make ingots. First he ordered several tens of men to ascend the Sanxiu Pavilion and chisel the necks of the Buddhas. Just as their hammers and chisels were raised, both images turned their heads at once and glared at them. The arms of the men who were sent seemed to drop limp, so that they could not lift them. They were struck dumb as if drunk, and Du Kan was likewise affected. After a long while they woke up, only to be beaten and pummeled, their entire bodies bruised and swollen. They saw only frightening beings—Vajrapāṇis—vying to strike them. Moaning in agony, their whole bodies festered and rotted; pus and blood flowed freely, piercing the skin and exposing the bone, and they died. This was a recent event, known equally to both the clergy and the laity.