法苑珠林 65.69

65.69

During the Jin dynasty, Zhou Zichang lived as an immigrant at the crest of the eastern mound of Wuzhangpu in Wuchang. In the third year of Xiankang, Zichang went to Hanxipu to visit an anxious household. Their home was several li from Wuzhang. At dusk he returned toward Wuzhang, but before reaching it, when he was just under a li away, on what had previously been an empty mound he suddenly saw tiled houses surrounding all four sides right in the path. A gate guard immediately seized Zichang by the head. Zichang said, 'I am a disciple of the Buddha; why do you seize me?' The officer asked, 'If you are a disciple of the Buddha, can you chant scriptures?' Zichang had previously been able to recite the Scripture of the Four Heavenly Kings and the Scripture of the Deer Child, so he recited them for him three or four times. Yet the officer still held him fast and would not release him. Knowing he was a ghost, Zichang cursed him, saying: 'Foolish ghost of Wuchang! I told you I am a disciple of the Buddha, and I recited several verses of scripture for you, yet you still do not release me!' The one who was holding him then let go, and the houses were no longer visible. The ghost still pursued him. When he passed in front of his own gate, the ghost blocked him so he could not enter the gate, nor could he make a sound. In his mind he thought of leading the ghost to Hanxi Temple to pass [the night]. Zichang then grabbed the ghost by the chest and cursed him again, saying: 'Foolish ghost of Wuchang! Now I shall take you before the upādhyāya in the monastery to settle this!' The ghost also grabbed Zichang by the chest, and dragging each other they crossed Wuzhang Dike and walked westward. The other ghosts behind said to the one who had grabbed him: 'Let him go! If he drags you westward into the temple, what will you do?' The one who held him let go. Zichang nonetheless spoke again to the ones behind: 'There are only monks in the temple—could it be that you do not fear them?' A ghost in the rear whispered: 'Recently in the eastern part of the city, have you seen the monks' faces? Why would they defeat us?' They then laughed loudly together. By the time Zichang reached home, the third watch had ended. (This one miracle is from the Lingguizhi.)