法苑珠林 17.18

17.18

The monk Shi Fazhi of the Jin, while still a layperson, was once walking alone in a great marsh when suddenly fierce flames arose on all sides. His escape route was cut off, so he bowed and recited the name of Avalokiteśvara with utmost devotion. In an instant, the fire passed by; in the entire marsh, not a stalk of grass was left unburned, yet the space where Fazhi stood was untouched by fire. From then on, he began to revere and uphold the Great Dharma. Later, as an officer under Yao Xing, he followed the expedition against the Suolu barbarians. When the army retreated, he lost his horse and fell into encirclement. He hid in a briar patch beside a ditch, which just covered his head. Once again, he remembered Avalokiteśvara with utmost diligence. Across the ditch, a person shouted from afar to the rearguard, ordering them to kill him, but though the troops searched and probed, none could see him. He went straight on and was saved. Later, he went forth from household life.