法苑珠林 85.28

85.28

During the Jin dynasty, by the riverside in Yangzhou, there was the deity of Tinghu Lake, who was severe, harsh, and exceedingly wicked. At that time there was a visiting monk, a brāhmaṇa named Fazang, who was adept at reciting dhāraṇīs to ward off all kinds of evil poisons, with unfailing efficacy. There was another junior monk who studied mantras under Fazang; after several years, his studies were accomplished, and he too could subdue all malignant poisons. He therefore went to the temple of the Tinghu deity to lodge for the night, reciting mantras to subdue the god. That night he saw the god, and consequently died. When Master Zang heard that his disciple had died reciting mantras, he became resentful, came himself to the deity's temple that night, and recited mantras with an angry mind. The god appeared, and [Fazang] himself also met his death. In the same monastery was a monk who constantly upheld the Prajñā[pāramitā]. Hearing that both master and disciple had perished, he went to the god's abode and recited the Diamond Prajñā[pāramitā] at the temple that night. In the middle of the night, he heard a tremendous sound of wind. In an instant he saw a being: its form was immense, towering up terrifyingly, strange and fearsome, with long, sharp fangs and eyes like lightning, displaying manifold divine transformations beyond complete description. The scripture master sat upright in correct mindfulness, reciting the scripture without a moment's slackening; his mind had no fear, completely untroubled and unworried. Seeing his composure, the god withdrew his fierce majesty, came before the master, knelt on his right knee, joined his palms in reverence, and listened to the scripture to the end. The master asked the god, "What divine spirit is the dānapati, that you came so fiercely at first and later were so calm?" The god replied, "Because of evil karma, this disciple has received retribution like this; I am the god of this lake. Yet I deeply revere and have faith in the scripture master." [The master] asked again, "If you revere [the Dharma] with faith, why did you beat the previous two masters to death?" He answered, "The previous two masters died because they were unable to uphold the Mahāyāna scriptures. Reciting mantras with anger in their hearts, seeing this disciple arrive they hurled curses in defiance, exclusively chanting malignant words in an attempt to subdue me. I would not submit. At that time, seeing this disciple's terrifying form, the two monks naturally died of fright; it was not that this disciple intentionally slew the two monks." When the local clergy and laity saw the previous two monks killed, they thought the scripture master must also be dead and went together to look; they saw him safe and sound, his demeanor joyful and relaxed. The people of the time found it extraordinary and vied to ask the reason. He answered fully according to what had happened. Indeed, this was due to the power of the Prajñā[pāramitā], for the sacred teaching is not in vain. Many people thereupon resolved their minds to uphold the Prajñā[pāramitā].