法苑珠林 56.53

56.53

Hanyin Sheng was a begging child beneath the Wei Bridge in Chang'an. He often begged in the market. The people in the market grew weary of him and splattered dung on him. Soon after, he was seen again with black-splattered clothes, but he was unstained as before. When the chief official learned of this, he tested him by binding him in fetters and manacles, yet he continued to beg in the market. When they tested him by attempting to kill him, he simply departed. The houses of the family members who had splattered him collapsed of their own accord, killing more than ten people. A popular ditty in Chang'an said: "When you see the begging child, give him fine wine, to avoid the calamity of ruined houses." See the Soushen ji.