法苑珠林 32.56

32.56

In the Wei period, there was the mother of Song Shizong of Qinghe. In the summer during the Huangchu reign era, she bathed in the bathhouse, ordering the sons and daughters of the household to all step outside the door, leaving her alone in the room. After a long time, the family members did not understand her intention. Peering through a hole in the wall, they saw no person; in the water of the wooden basin was a great softshell turtle. Thereupon they opened the door and entered, old and young alike. She would not interact with anyone at all. The silver hairpin she had previously worn was still on her head. They stood guard over her together, weeping, but there was nothing they could do. She intended and sought to leave, and could by no means be detained. Watching her day after day, she gradually became looser; she threw herself outside the door and left swiftly. Pursuing her, they could not catch up, and she then entered the water. After several more days, she suddenly returned, walking about the residence as in ordinary life, saying nothing at all, and then departed. People of that time said to Shizong that he should perform funeral rites and wear mourning garments. Shizong, on the grounds that although his mother's form had changed her life-principle still endured, ultimately did not hold a funeral. This is similar to the case of Mother Huang of Jiangxia. (The above two verifications are from the Xu soushen ji.)