法苑珠林 23.69

23.69

Zhu Changshu of the Jin was originally from the Western Regions. His family had been wealthy for generations. During the Yuankang era of the Jin, Zhu moved inland to Luoyang. Changshu practiced the Dharma with the utmost sincerity and devotion, and especially liked to recite the Avalokiteśvara Sūtra. Later, a fire broke out in the neighborhood. Changshu's house was entirely thatched, and it happened to be downwind. Considering that the fire was already closing in, and that even if he moved his possessions out, very few could be preserved, he ordered his family members not to carry out goods, nor did they pour water to extinguish the fire. They merely recited the sūtra with one-pointed sincerity. In a short while, the fire burned the adjacent house, separated from Changshu only by a fence, when the wind suddenly turned back of itself. The fire also stopped right at the edge of the house. At that time, everyone considered it a miracle. There were four or five frivolous and dangerous youths in the neighborhood who ridiculed it together, saying, “The wind merely turned by chance; what divinity is there in this? Let us wait for a dry, clear evening to set his house ablaze; only if he can prevent it from burning will it count.” Thereafter, the weather was exceedingly dry and the wind blew swiftly. The youths secretly gathered torches and cast them onto his roof together. Three times they threw them, and three times they were extinguished. Thereupon, they were terrified, and each fled back home. The next morning, they went together to Changshu's house, related the events of the previous evening of their own accord, and bowed their heads to the ground in apology. Changshu replied, “I possess no divine power at all. It is merely that by reciting and keeping in mind Avalokiteśvara, it must be the protection of his awesome spiritual efficacy. You gentlemen need only cleanse your hearts and turn toward faith.” From then on, the entire neighborhood and village revered him as extraordinary.