法苑珠林 32.90

32.90

Ma Qianbo of the Song dynasty was a native of Langzhong in Baxi. In his youth, he had faith in the Buddha-Dharma. He once served as magistrate of Xuanhan County. In the seventh month of the twelfth year of the Yuanjia reign (435 CE), he had a dream at night in the county [seat]. He saw at the edge of the sky three persons, over two zhang tall, whose appearance was majestic and beautiful, looking down as they leaned over the clouds. The musical instruments of various devas filled the sky. They told him: "Your calamity will take place in Jingchu on the fourth day of the eighth month in the wuyin year. If you dwell in the mountains and marshes, the disaster will surely be dispelled; if among people you practice fasting and purification, you may also obtain deliverance. If you pass this term, you will awaken to the Way." At that time, looking down, he saw eight people he knew, such as Yang Xian and others, all wearing shackles and chains. He also saw the Daoist master Hu Liao, half of his body in the earth. The celestial divine persons at the edge of the sky recorded the year and month of the end of life for all eight people, and spoke only to Liao, saying: "If you can cultivate and establish merit, your life may still be lengthened." Xian and the others all died at the appointed time. Liao became all the more terrified, adhered to the Dharma, dwelt in the mountains, and practiced diligence with the utmost vigor. Qianbo was later appointed officer of the Western Section of Liangzhou, where the commander of the province was Xiao Sihua. When Xiao was transferred to the Southern Barbarians (Nanman), he again appointed Qianbo as Administrative Adjutant (Xing Canjun). Qianbo, reflecting upon the words regarding Jingchu, was extremely afraid in his heart, so he requested Xiao to relieve him of his post, intending to go to Mount Heng. Xiao strenuously refused. The fifteenth year was precisely the wuyin year (438 CE). At the end of the sixth month, he fell ill. On the fourth day of the eighth month, his illness was critical, and he clung to life. After dusk on that day, his vision suddenly became bright and clear, and in the distance he saw three persons to the west, whose forms were about two zhang tall. The front person wore a robe, had a beard hanging down, and the halo of his crown was round and luminous. The latter two persons were golden and dazzling in quality, with their marks and features complete and dignified. They were arrayed in mid-air, several ren above the ground. Qianbo examined them in fine detail; they were indeed those he had seen in his previous dream. In a short while they were no longer visible, and the lingering fragrance ceased only after some time. Everyone living with him, both old and young, smelled the fragrance. Thereupon he broke into a sweat, and his illness improved slightly. The dwelling in which Qianbo lived was low and humble, but at that time he felt himself to be inside a palace hall, whose corridors and walls were magnificent and shining, all made of precious gems. Thereupon his affliction gradually recovered. (This single verification is from the Mingxiang ji.)