法苑珠林 94.58

94.58

During the Yongming reign period of the Qi dynasty, Shi Hongming of Kuaiji dwelled at Yunmen Temple, devoting himself to reciting the Lotus Sūtra and performing rites of repentance. Every morning, his water vessel would fill of itself; in truth, heavenly youths served as his attendants. Furthermore, by his resonance a tiger came and entered his room, crouching before his bed for a long time before departing. He also saw a small boy come to listen to the sūtras, who said: 'In the past I was a śrāmaṇera in this temple. Because I stole food from the monastic kitchen, I have now fallen into the privy. Hearing your reverence reciting the sūtras, I made the effort to come and listen. I hope you will provide expedient means in the hope that I may escape this burden.' Ming expounded the Dharma for him; upon grasping the meaning, he vanished. Later, a mountain spirit came to trouble him; Ming seized it and bound it with his waist cord. The ghost apologized and was then released, whereupon it ceased forever. (The above two verifications are taken from the Liang Biographies of Eminent Monks.)