法苑珠林 28.47

28.47

The Linhai ji says: Twenty-five li northeast of the commandery, the family of Ren Cengyi had a stone well, naturally formed by Heaven and not made by human effort. The well was four zhang deep, with a continuously bubbling spring. In heavy water it did not overflow, and in great drought it did not dry up. In summer it was extremely fragrant and cold; in winter it was sweet and warm. The elders traditionally recount: formerly there was a timber cutter washing utensils by a stream who lost a wine cup to the current; it later emerged from inside the well. The Dijingtutu says: When treasures lie within city ramparts, mounds, or walls, the trees and woods change on account of them. Observing that a branch is particularly broken or withered—this is the sign. Looking toward the direction in which the broken or withered part points, the treasure is in that direction. In all cases, gold and treasures often transform into coiled snakes. Seeing such things, immediately take off a single shoe or slipper and throw it at them; or if one urinates upon them, one will immediately obtain them. Whenever treasures are buried and one forgets and does not know their location, fill a large bronze basin with water and place it on the suspected ground; walking and inspecting it, wherever a person's reflection is seen, the object lies beneath.