法苑珠林 40.45

40.45

The Emperor then personally took thirty śarīra in the seven-jeweled casket and brought them forth from the interior, placing them upon the table before the imperial throne. Together with the śramaṇas, he burned incense and bowed in reverence, vowing: 'May this disciple constantly protect and maintain the Three Jewels with the saddharma and deliver all sentient beings.' He then took thirty golden flasks and thirty lapis lazuli flasks, placed the golden flasks within the lapis lazuli ones, and deposited the śarīra inside them. He made paste with frankincense, sealed the lids, and impressed them with seals. The thirty prefectures were all appointed to deposit them into bronze reliquaries and stone reliquaries at precisely noon on the fifteenth day of the tenth month, simultaneously erecting the pagodas. The śramaṇas each respectfully conveyed the śarīra to the various prefectures. Clergy and laity alike throughout their borders solemnly held incense and flowers, precious banners, and music, swept and sprinkled the roads, and welcomed the śarīra with utmost sincerity and exertion, which cannot be recounted in full. Each prefecture experienced spiritual and miraculous portents, fully recorded in the extensive biographies. Now I briefly record ten or so to show to future generations. On that day, the Emperor, together with the Empress, the Crown Prince, and the palace consorts and concubines, applied their minds with refined devotion and performed deśanā with all their might, forging wholesome connections universally on behalf of all conscious beings. The Emperor saw an extraordinary monk wearing a brown shoulder-cloak and said to his attendants: 'Do not disturb him; just leave him be.' After he left, they counted the relics again; sure enough, there was no need for him to appear. When the śarīra were about to depart, the Emperor said: 'Now that the Buddha-Dharma is revived, there will certainly be sympathetic resonances.' Afterward, memorial reports from every location were all as he had spoken.