法苑珠林 14.9

14.9

During the Yuanjia reign of the Song dynasty, Zhang Sengding's younger sister from Zhijiang in Jiangling had revered the Dharma from her youth and was determined to go forth into the homeless life. She regularly made offerings to a small gold statue, regarding it as the provision for her future path. Her parents, however, pressured her to marry, but she vowed her intention would not waiver. They secretly betrothed her to the Bing family, which the girl did not know at first. When the betrothal gifts of lamb and wild geese arrived, she cried out in sorrow and refused to comply, burning incense and prostrating on the ground seeking death. This statue then emitted a golden light that filled the entire village. Her father and elder brothers were astonished by this spiritual resonance and ceased trying to marry her off. The two families, Zhang and Bing, consequently gave rise to great reverent faith. Sengding went forth into the homeless life on her account. When the Song Chancellor and Prince of Nanjun was garrisoned in Shan, he constructed a vihāra at her dwelling.