法苑珠林 18.37

18.37

During the Wude reign era of the Tang, Director of Waterways Su Chang was made the prefectural governor of Bazhou. Chang took his family to assume the post. When crossing the Jialing River, a wind arose in midstream and the boat sank; more than sixty men and women drowned simultaneously. Only one concubine had constantly read the Lotus Sūtra. When the water entered the boat, the concubine placed the sūtra case upon her head and vowed to drown along with it. The concubine alone did not sink, drifting upon the waves. Before long she reached the shore and emerged following the sūtra case. When she opened and examined the scripture, it was completely free of dampness or defilement. She is still alive today in Yangzhou, married to someone as his wife, and her faith has grown even deeper.