法苑珠林 19.68

19.68

During the Qi dynasty at Mount Chicheng in Shifeng, there was Shi Huiming. His surname was Kang, and he was a man of Kangju. His ancestors had fled to Eastern Wu to escape disaster. He resided in a rock cavern on Mount Chicheng, and thereupon settled his mind on meditation and recitation, dedicating his entire life to ascetic discipline. Later, while in samādhi, he saw a goddess who called herself an old woman and said she would constantly provide protection. At times, white apes, white deer, white snakes, and white tigers played in front of his steps; they were tame, submissive, and curled about, causing no fear in people. King Wenxuan of Yuling of the Qi dynasty heard of his renown and venerated him, repeatedly sending three envoys to earnestly and respectfully invite him. He then briefly left the mountain to go to the capital and arrived at the mansion. King Wenxuan venerated him with the etiquette due to a master. After a short while he took his leave to return to the mountain; [the king] bitterly tried to detain him but could not stop him. Thereupon, [the king] provided provisions and sent him off. At the end of the Jianwu era he died in the mountains, at the age of seventy.