法苑珠林 6.71

6.71

Wang Hu of the Song was a native of Chang'an. His uncle had been dead for several years. In the twenty-third year of the Yuanjia reign era (446), his uncle suddenly manifested his form, returned home, and reprimanded Hu because his cultivation of prudence was lacking and household affairs were not managed. He punished Hu with five strokes of a cane. Bystanders and neighbors all heard his words and the sound of the cane, and they also saw the marks of the cane, but did not see his form; only Hu could personally interact with him. The uncle said to Hu: “I was not supposed to die; the spirit realm needed me to calculate the registers of the ghosts. Now I am followed by a great host of clerks and soldiers, and fearing they would frighten and harm the village, I did not bring them in.” Hu also saw a large host of ghosts in noisy turmoil as if outside the village. In a moment, the uncle took his leave, saying: “Next year on the seventh day of the seventh month, I shall return again for a while. I wish to take you to travel through the unseen paths to make you know the retribution of sin and merit. You need not make lavish preparations; if you cannot refrain, tea alone will suffice.” When that time arrived, he indeed returned. He said to Hu's family: “I am now taking Hu on an excursion; when it is over, I will send him back, so do not worry.” Hu immediately collapsed onto the bed, lifeless as if dead. The uncle then took Hu to tour all the mountains, witnessing all manner of ghosts and monsters. Before reaching Mount Songgao, various ghosts hosted Hu, all providing banquets. The flavor of the offered food was no different from the worldly realm, except that the ginger was extremely crisp and delicious. Hu wanted to put some in his bosom to bring back, but those around him laughed at Hu and said: “You can only eat it here; you cannot take it back.” Finally, Hu saw a place where the halls were magnificent and spacious, and the curtains and mats were exquisite and tidy. Two young monks resided there. Hu visited them, and the two monks set out assorted fruits, betel nuts, and the like for him. Hu traveled for a long time, fully witnessing the retributions of sin and merit, suffering and joy, and then took his leave to return. The uncle said to Hu: “Since you already know that good deeds can be practiced, why should you remain at home? The White-Footed Hermit (Araṇyaka) is of pure and lofty precept conduct; you may take him as a teacher.” A Chang'an practitioner of the Way had white feet, so people of the time called him the White-Footed Hermit. He was greatly respected by the Wei caitiffs, whose ruler served him as a teacher. After Hu served this hermit, in his temple he unexpectedly saw the young monks from Mount Song studying among the assembly. Hu was greatly astonished, recounted their parting, and asked when they had arrived. The two monks replied: “We have always lived in this temple; we do not recall having known you in the past.” Hu recounted their encounter on Mount Songgao again. The monks said: “You are mistaken; how could such a thing have happened?” The next day, the two monks departed without cause. Hu then told the śramaṇas in detail, recounting what he had seen on Mount Songgao previously. The assembly was all astonished and bewildered, and immediately searched for the two monks, but did not know where they were. They then realized they were divine beings. At the end of the Yuanjia reign era, there was a Chang'an monk, Shi Tanshuan, who traveled south of the Yangtze River and related this in full.