Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 200

186

Sketch of Kwanyin.

APRIL,

her being released, she entered the district of Luugshoo, in the de- partment of Yuchow, and at the White Bird temple, she became a nun. Eyew, the chief of the temple, received secret instructions (from her father) to endeavor to change Shen's determination in relation to her vows of celibacy, but she continued steadfastly to refuse.

Meaou Shen was then (for her refusal) subjected to the most bitter drudgery. In the mornings, she was made to draw water from the well, and her evenings were spent in listening to the Budhistic doc- trines. At break of day she had to burn the incense, and sweep the apartments, while her noonday task was to bring the wood with which to cook the rice; but notwithstanding all these difficulties not a murmur escaped her. Heaven was aware of the sincerity of her principles, and dispatched three thousand of the celestial army to lend her their assistance and protection. The god Kealan brushed the halls, Teënwang swept the kitchen, Lŭhting offered incense, while Yaouyeih lighted the candles. The ke bird prepared the tea, a nimble monkey carried in the vegetables, a white tiger brought fuel in his mouth, and the goddess Feking and Maouchang entered the inner courts bearing flowers, while the genii offered up fruits. Dur- ing every night the noise of the clouds, as if shaken by the winds, were heard, and the rapid movements of these gods were observed. The whole company of the priests became alarmed, and conveyed the information to her father, who sent five of the city cavalry under Hwuhpeihleih, ordering him to hasten and with the soldiers sur- round the temple and set fire to it. But Shen prayed to the god Budha, and biting her forefinger spurted forth the blood, causing crimson colored rain to descend, which put out the fire, and thus rescued five hundred priests, not one falling a prey to the flames. Peibleih again fired the temple, and in like manner was it put out. Three times was it set fire to, and three times was it extinguished as aforesaid. The impossibility of burning the temple was announced to her father, and his anger being aroused, he ordered Peihleih to go and bind Meaou Shen fast with cords and bring her, under arrest, in- to the common execution ground, but at the same time intimated his willingness for her mother to rescue her; for toward the tender and amiable disposition of this his third daughter he felt very kindly af- fectioned, and his only wish was that she was married, and he had a son-in-law that might take charge of the affairs of the state.

This murderous design did not even change the color of Meaou Shen's countenance, but her intention became still more firin, and