Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s4.t2.47

v1.c7.s4.t2.47

According to the 10ᵗʰ volume of *Biographies of Eminent Monks*, 95ᵗʰ volume of *Book of Jin* and 63ʳᵈ volume of *Fa Yuan Zhu Lin*, She Gong was a person from the Western Regions while his family name was not known. She Gong had been śramana since he was young. He was good at the skillful method of deep breathing and could walk 250 km within one day without eating any grains. She Gong could predict the events in the future what he had said would be bound to become true. He could also beg the magic dragon for rainfall with mantra. She Gong arrived in Chang’an in Jianyuan 20ᵗʰ year (376 CE) of former Qin Dynasty and was regarded highly by Emperor Fu Jian. It was said Fu Jian worshipped him as the god of his country, whenever there was drought usually Fu Jian would invite She Gong to call the dragon down to the alms bowl. After that there would be heavy rain. The gentries and civilians all admired his magic. She Gong died in Jianyuan 16ᵗʰ year without any illness. It was said his coffin was opened seven days later for inspection, but his corpse had disappeared.