法苑珠林 17.22

17.22

Liu Du of the Jin was a native of Liaocheng in Pingyuan. In his home village, there were over a thousand households, all of which revered the Great Dharma, erected images, and made offerings to monks and nuns. During the time of the barbarian ruler Muwei, a fugitive had once escaped from this county. Wei was enraged and intended to annihilate the entire city. The masses were terrified, certain that they would all be destroyed. Du purified his sincerity and led the multitude to take refuge in Avalokiteśvara. Shortly thereafter, Wei saw an object descend from the sky and circle the pillar of the building where he was staying. Startled, he looked at it, and it was the *Avalokiteśvara Sūtra*. He had someone read it aloud, and Wei was greatly delighted, deciding to reduce the punishments and killings. Thus, the city was spared from harm.