法苑珠林 95.45

95.45

During the Jin, the śramaṇa Kang Falang studied in Zhongshan. During the Yongjia era, he and a bhikṣu traveled west into India. Crossing the shifting sands for over a thousand li, they saw a ruined Buddhist stūpa by the road, with no remaining halls, overgrown with weeds taller than a man. Falang and his companion went down to pay homage. They saw two monks, each residing on one side: one was reading sūtras, while the other was suffering from dysentery, his room filled with filth. The one reading sūtras paid no attention at all. Falang and his companion felt deep compassion; they stayed behind to cook congee, sweep, and wash for him. On the sixth day, the sick monk grew increasingly exhausted, with dysentery pouring like a spring. Falang and his companion attended to him together. That night, Falang and the others thought the patient would surely not survive till dawn. When they went to check the next morning, his complexion was radiant and joyful, and the symptoms of pain were completely gone. The filth in the room had all turned into fragrant flowers. Falang and his companion then realized he was an accomplished being of the Way who was testing people. The sick monk said: 'The bhikṣu in the adjoining room is my upādhyāya; he long ago attained the wisdom of the Way. You may go pay respects to him.' Falang and his companion had previously resented the sūtra-reading śramaṇa for lacking loving-kindness; hearing this, they bowed and repented their fault. The sūtra-reader said: 'Your sincere resolve has arrived together; you are both destined to enter the Way. Master Lang, your past learning is shallow in karmic roots; you will not attain your vow in this life.' Addressing Falang's companion, he said: 'Hui, your roots are deeply planted; you will attain your vow in this very life.' He therefore retained him. Falang later returned to Zhongshan and became a great Dharma master, revered by both monastics and laypeople. (This verification is from the Mingxiang ji.)