法苑珠林 28.28

28.28

The Jin monk Gandhara was of unknown homeland. He once traveled about Luoyi for several years. Although people respected his deportment, none could fathom him. Later he told people, 'In Mount Panchi there is an ancient stupa and temple. If you can restore and build it, the merit will be immeasurable.' The multitude agreed, and entered the mountains together with him. When they arrived, there was only deep, overgrown vegetation, and no one could tell where the foundations lay. Gandhara pointed and said, 'This is the foundation of the temple.' The people tried digging, and indeed found the stone plinths beneath the stupa. He again pointed out the lecture hall, monk's quarters, wells, and stoves; when they cleared and dug in search of them, all were just as he had said. Thereupon they first suspected his extraordinary powers. Once the temple was restored, Gandhara became the abbot. It was a hundred li from Luo[yang], and every morning he went to Luoyi to attend assemblies and listen to lectures; when finished, he would always beg a bowl of oil, carry it, and return to the temple. Even though his comings and goings were early or late, he never missed the hour of the midday or afternoon meals. There was a man who could walk several hundred li a day, who wished to follow him and test it. He set out together with him, but though this man ran swiftly, he could not keep up. Gandhara looked back, smiled, and said, 'If you hold onto my kāṣāya, you will not grow tired.' Once he held the robe, before the shadow had shifted, they had already reached the temple. The man rested for several days before returning, and only then realized that he was a divine person. Afterwards, his end was unknown.