法苑珠林 18.38

18.38

Liu Jian, Vice-Governor of Xingzhou during the Tang, served as the Supervisor of Qiyang Palace in Qizhou during the tenth year of the Daye era of the Sui. In the first year of Yining, he was unjustly implicated by Li Mi and imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review. Jian constantly recited the Diamond Prajñā Sūtra; two sheets at the end had not yet been finished when, unaware, he fell asleep. In a dream, he saw a brāhmaṇa monk who announced to him, 'Almsgiver, you should promptly finish reciting the scripture, and then you shall be released.' Jian suddenly woke up and recited diligently without respite. Two days passed; at noon, an imperial decree was suddenly issued ordering Jian's release from imprisonment, and he was brought to the imperial court and granted pardon by imperial command. Furthermore, on another occasion at night when it was quiet, Jian was reciting the sūtra outside his room; at the third watch, he suddenly smelled an extraordinary fragrance. Jian followed the fragrance and questioned his family, seeking everywhere for the source of the fragrance, but could not find it. Nevertheless, he constantly recited it day and night without cessation; up to the end of his days, he was reckoned to have recited it over five thousand times.