法苑珠林 63.58

63.58

In the sixth year of the Daming reign-period of the Song, there was a severe drought under heaven. Prayers to the mountains and rivers for months brought no verification. Shizu requested the Tripiṭaka Master Guṇabhadra to pray for rain, requiring that there must be an effect: "If there is no result, there is no need for us to meet again." Guṇabhadra said, "Relying upon the Three Jewels and Your Majesty's heavenly resonance, I hope it will surely send down moisture. If there is no result, I shall not see you again." He immediately went to the Fishing Terrace at the North Lake, burned incense, and prayed, taking no food or drink. Silently he recited sūtras and secretly added esoteric spells. The next day at late afternoon, clouds arose from the northwest, at first like an umbrella. When the sun was in the mulberries and elms, the wind shook, the clouds joined, and rain fell for consecutive days. The following morning, the ministers and nobles entered to offer congratulations; an imperial decree summoned him to be comforted, and gifts of alms followed continuously. In the reign of Taizong, the ritual offerings became even more lavish. In the first month of the fourth year of the Taishi reign-period, he felt his body unwell. On the day of his death, he stood waiting, looked out, and said that he saw heavenly flowers and holy images. At mid-morning, he passed away, at the age of seventy-five. Taizong grieved and lamented deeply, bestowing generous condolence gifts. The dukes and ministers gathered for the funeral, and both glory and sorrow were fully rendered.