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CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

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— 482 —<br />

ARTICLE XXVII.<br />

ran: monk who crossed rivers<br />

OX HIS BEGGING-BOWL<br />

PEI-TU SHEN-SHI /)vf> $| jf$i filil (1).<br />

1° Eccentric life <strong>of</strong> tliis Buddhist monk.<br />

The origin and name <strong>of</strong> this legendary monk have not been<br />

handed down to us by history (2).<br />

The first reference to him states<br />

he was living at Ki Chow if| ')]], in the house <strong>of</strong> a peasant, who<br />

possessed a small golden image <strong>of</strong> Buddha. One' fine morning, the<br />

monk disappeared, bearing away the image. The owner, accom-<br />

panied by several horsemen, pursued him in all haste, and were<br />

almost on the point <strong>of</strong> overtaking him. He seemed to proceed quite<br />

slowly, but nevertheless they could not catch up with him. Having<br />

reached the brink <strong>of</strong> the river Meng-tsin j£. '$t, he laid his begging-<br />

bowl on the waters, ascended thereon, and crossed the river to the<br />

great astonishment <strong>of</strong> the pursuers. Hence the name given him <strong>of</strong><br />

the "Monk who crossed rivers on his begging-bowl", Pei-tu shen-shi<br />

$r» '$£ $1 ft!'- From the river's bank, he proceeded to the Capital <strong>of</strong><br />

the place (3). His garments were all in tatters, but nevertheless,<br />

he seemed to suffer little from the rigours <strong>of</strong> the Winter, and was<br />

even seen frequently breaking the ice, and taking a bath in the cold<br />

season (4). He was then about 40 years <strong>of</strong> age.<br />

(1) Pei't?-, a cup, a vessel for drinking. Tu gg, to cross a stream, to ford.<br />

Shen-shi flp 8f, a master, a teacher, a term for Buddhist monks or teachers <strong>of</strong><br />

the Law. Williams. Dictionary <strong>of</strong> the Chinese Language. — Chinese Super-<br />

stitions. Vol. VII, p. 356. note 1.<br />

(2) The whole story <strong>of</strong> this monk seems to be quite legendary, and borrowed<br />

from that <strong>of</strong> Bodhidharma, crossing the Yangtze River on a bamboo<br />

twig or reed. See Chinese Superstitions. Vol. VII. p. 427. note 3.<br />

(3) Probably Nanking Hj &, then known as Kien-k'ang Jt /Jj.<br />

(4) This seems most extraordinary, as the Chinese have an instinctive<br />

horror <strong>of</strong> cold water. After meals, it is the custom to wipe the face and<br />

hands with a cloth wrung out <strong>of</strong> hot water. Dyer Ball. Things Chinese,<br />

p. 258.

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