法苑珠林 18.9

18.9

Zhou Dang of the Jin was a native of Shan in Kuaiji. His family had revered the Dharma for generations. When Dang was sixteen, he ate only vegetarian food, observed the purifications, and fully mastered chanting scriptures. When it came time to recite scriptures, having completed the long purification of the first month, he invited monks to hold an eight-precept purification retreat. He went to the Xiangshi Temple to invite his masters, Zhu Fomi and Zhi Fajiē. Zhu Fomi instructed that they should take the Small Perfection of Wisdom to read aloud on the retreat day. When the day came, three monks arrived for the retreat but forgot to bring the Small Perfection of Wisdom. Only after the midday meal was finished and they wished to recite the scripture did they remember it, feeling very disappointed. Dang's home was in Banyicun, thirty li away from the temple, and there was no one to send to retrieve it. By the time people settled to rest and the incense burning was finished, the whole household lamented that they had not obtained the scripture, and Fomi became increasingly uneasy. After a short while, they heard someone knocking at the door, saying he had brought the Small Perfection of Wisdom. Dang was surprised and delighted. Opening the door, he saw a youth dressed in a single unlined silk garment, whom he had never known before; moreover, it was not an hour for visitors. Suspecting divine anomaly, he knelt prostrate to receive the scripture and invited him to come sit forward. The youth did not enter, saying he would come to listen to the scripture that night. By the time the monks came out, he had suddenly vanished, and a fragrant scent filled the whole residence. When they subsequently examined it, it was indeed Fomi's scripture. Monks and laity were astonished and delighted. Fomi's scripture had previously been in a cabinet, locked very securely; returning to inspect the lock, it was as intact as before. Thereupon more than ten households in the village all revered the Buddha, and respected and loved Dang even more. Dang subsequently left household life, receiving the dharma name Tanyi; he chanted various scriptures to the extent of two hundred thousand words.