法苑珠林 28.38

28.38

Shi Zhuanming of Huadu Temple in the Western Capital of the Tang had the secular surname Lu, but it is not known where he was from. His monastic robes and comportment were grand and imposing; his demeanor was tranquil, and his expression showed neither joy nor wrath. In the eighth year of the Daye era of the Sui, he arrived without explanation to reside in the city of Luoyang. He announced that rebels would arise, but when an investigation was conducted, no trace or lineage of them could be found. The Emperor was mystified by this and could not convict him, so he had him provisionally placed in detention. At first no one could fathom why this was so, but in the sixth month of the following year, rebel owls indeed arose in revolt, driving and pressing with their wicked minions to overrun the Eastern Capital. Only after the slaughter became extreme was credit given to his words, and an edict was issued releasing him. Yet while Ming had been confined, his mind was relaxed and thoughts as ordinary as ever; in talking with others, he had never even touched upon the matter. It happened that when the Emperor traveled to Jiangdu and reached Yanshi, there were fifty condemned prisoners in the jail set to be beheaded at a fixed hour. Ming said: 'Tomorrow I shall deliver them from this deathly peril.' He promptly went to the jail under the guise of offering gifts. Meeting face-to-face with the prisoners, he told them: 'Tomorrow the imperial retinue will pass through here. You must all shout loudly at once, saying that bandits have arrived. If they ask the reason, say that I was privy to it. Then you will escape death.' When the appointed time came, it went just as he had instructed. An edict thereupon completely pardoned all the prisoners. But Ming was seized and imprisoned; he simply laughed heartily and accepted it, showing no anxiety or fear whatsoever. At that time, grass-roots brigands were rising on every side and the people could not make a livelihood, just as Ming had foretold. In the final years of the Daye era, he was still held in bonds. Only when the Prince of Yue took the throne did he receive his release. Although he came and went freely, he was constantly kept in a separate courtyard within the Ganyang Gate to be provided for, for fear that he might slip away; the Three Guard units were secretly dispatched to quietly guard him. When