Holy Man Shōkū of Mount Shosha was from Nishinokyō of the Heian capital, and his secular clan was called Tachibana. He was born with his right hand clenched. His parents forced his fist open and found a needle in his hand. Three days later, the baby Shōkū was missed. He was found sitting comfortably in the bushes of the front garden, smiling and playing with flowers.

From youth until old age, he always had a kind smile, spoke soft and gentle words, avoided coarse and erroneous language, relied on the Teachings of the One Vehicle, and only wished to attain Buddhahood.

For difficult ascetic practices, he lived in a hut in a deep mountain where not a single bird was heard. He spent days without meals and months without fire. The marvelous power of the Hokekyō and of his priestly robe protected his physical self which was as transient as the overnight dews.

Sometimes he dreamed of having a tray of delicacies. Even after he awoke, his stomach felt full and his mouth held a delicious taste. At another time he dreamed of beautiful white rice appearing from the sūtra. He also dreamed that someone brought him something. After awakening, Shōkū actually found various foods besides him. The rice cakes, which he dreamed had appeared from the sūtra, tasted as delicious as if they were Heavenly Sweet Dews. He surpassed others with his stately appearance and well-rounded and supple body.

On a severely cold night, Shōkū’s unclothed body became as cold as ice, but as he recited the sūtra and withstood the coldness, a thick quilted robe descended of its own accord from the ceiling of the hut and covered his body. Someone concealing his identity came and asked questions. Might it be a bodhisattva or a Buddha? Others came in their forms and appearances to run errands for Shōkū. Were they Heavenly Boys or Dragon Deities? Such extraordinary incidents frequently happened to Shōkū.

After having completed his self-cultivation, Shōkū descended from the recesses of the mountain to cultivate the people. He had lived to practice the Way on Mount Shosha and at other places where many people including the priests and the laymen, the high and the humble, gathered like clouds. Their name cards left with Shōkū were piled high and their offerings to him were as abundant as the sea water. Some who had seen Shōkū felt as if they had met a Buddha. Others who had heard him thought they had listened to a sermon as of a Buddha. Those who received a grain of Shōkū’s rice felt as if they had obtained part of a relic of the Buddha and those who had gotten a piece of Shōkū’s robe cherished it as if they had gotten a robe of the Buddha.

Emperor Hanayama visited Shōkū a few times, had Shōkū’s picture made with Ajari Engen, and had Shōkū’s manners recorded, both in his practices at night and in the early morning. As they began to draw his picture, the earth and mountain trembled. Shōkū explained to the shocked emperor and the frightened people, “Do not fear. The earth quaked because this picture of a humble priest, me, is going to be finished. Soon the earth will tremble again.”

When the picture was completed, the mountains and earth were greatly shaken again, and the emperor descended from his seat to pay homage to Shōkū.

Towards the end of his life, Shōkū learned the time of his death. He entered a room to meditate, recited the Hokekyō with serene composure, and finally passed away. (Page 71-72)

Miraculous Tales of the Lotus Sutra from Ancient Japan