大唐內典錄 10.72

10.72

Some forty li west of Xinfan County, southwest of Yizhou, there was Wangli Village. During the Sui dynasty, there was a scholar surnamed Xun who taught here. He applied great effort to writing, but did not reveal his traces. When people wanted his writing, he would never produce it; even when they drove him, he still would not. Thereupon, in the open air to the east of the village ahead, he used a brush to write the Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra on all four sides. In several days it was finished. He said, 'This sūtra is intended for the devas to read.' People initially did not perceive its miraculous nature. Later, there was suddenly a great downpour of thunder and rain; the ox-herding boys stayed at the place where the sūtra was written and did not get wet. The ground there was dry for about a zhang, while flowing water gathered everywhere outside it. When it cleared, the villagers found it strange. Thereafter, whenever it rained, the boys would always gather there and their clothes would not get wet. During the Wude era, an extraordinary monk said to the villagers, 'In the open air above this ground there is a Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra. Villagers, do not defile it! The devas have erected a canopy above to cover it; it must not be lightly trodden upon.' Because of this, balustrades were placed around all four sides, forbidding people and animals from going there. Even now, when it rains, it remains dry. On fast days, the villagers go there to make offerings, and they often hear the mingled sounds of heavenly music filling their ears.