法苑珠林 14.34

14.34

In the fourth year of the Xianqing reign era of the Tang dynasty, the Prefect of Fuzhou, of the Zu clan, prayed for rain because of severe drought, but without effect. Someone saw a walking statue on the mountain east of the prefecture, unable to fathom its origin. When they attempted to move it, it clanged firmly and would not budge. As news spread, people from near and far flocked there together. A person from Tanzhou said: 'A temple there lost one; could it be here?' Tracing its path of travel, two footprints appeared, each three feet long and separated by five hundred li. Because the scorching drought had lasted so long, the Prefect went to pray, bringing all the prefectural officials and commoners with incense and flowers. Walking some twenty li on foot, he wept and stated his plea, showing the utmost earnestness. He had three men lift it, and it responded lightly to their hands. They brought it back to the prefectural temple; clouds gathered along the road, and torrential rain fell that very night, bringing abundance. It is now in Fuzhou.