法苑珠林 27.53

27.53

Han Hui of the Song was a man of unknown origins. He lived in Zhijiang. His uncle Youzong, near the end of the Song, served as an officer of the central troops in the Xiangzhou provincial government. In the first year of the Shengming reign era, the inspector of Jingzhou, Shen Youzhi, raised troops and marched east. Yu Peiyu, senior clerk of the Xiangzhou administration, entrenched his forces for self-defense, uncertain where his loyalties lay. Suspecting Youzong of treachery, he executed him, slaughtering his wife and children as well. As his nephew, Hui was confined in the commandery prison, his entire body bound with iron and wood, the manacles and fetters extremely tight. Once the interrogation regarding the conspirators was concluded, all were to be executed. Hui was terrified and helpless, merely awaiting his appointed time. Hui had originally served the Buddha and frequently chanted the *Avalokiteśvara Sūtra*. Thereupon, day and night, he recited the sūtra hundreds of times. In broad daylight, the locks suddenly clanged of their own accord, sounding like heated stones and tiles cracking and exploding. When he looked at the locks, they had dropped away and unlocked themselves. Terrified that the prison officials would accuse him of picking them, Hui quickly called out to inform them. Although amazed, the officers riveted and plated the locks anew. Hui chanted as usual. After another day, the locks clanged and unlocked again, just as before. The officer reported the full matter to Peiyu. Peiyu took the locks and examined them closely; convinced of his spiritual resonance, he pardoned and released him. Hui is still alive today, remarkably devoted in his religious practice.