Priest Chōen of Tsukushi Province was of the Tendai Sect. He had entered into the Buddha’s Way in his youth and continued to recite the Hokekyō and worship Acala. After many years of ascetic practices, he acquired miraculous powers.

On one occasion, when Chōen was fasting for twenty-seven days and reciting the Hokekyō on Mount Katsuragi, he dreamed that the Eight Followers of Acala, all equipped with weapons, including swords and three- and five-pronged iron vajra, listened to his recitation and said admiringly, “The ascetics who serve the Buddha are the same as the Buddha and will attain the supreme enlightenment just as other bodhisattvas!”

At another time, Chōen wished to cross an ice-covered river. Unable to locate the shallow places for fording, Chōen was lamenting by the river bank. A large cow appeared from the mountain, and crossed the river several times, breaking the ice to make a passage, and vanished. Chōen safely crossed the river following the path of the cow. He clearly knew that a guardian of the Law had become a cow to assist him in crossing.

On another occasion, when crossing Mount Ōmine from Mount Kumano in the direction of Mount Mitake, Chōen lost his way. While he was fervently reciting the Hokekyō, a boy appeared in his dream and indicated the correct route, just as the verses of the Hokekyō say, “Guardians of the Law will help and show the correct path and remove the devotee’s weariness.” After waking up, Chōen took the correct route to Mount Mitake.

On another occasion, when Chōen was reciting the sūtra through the night, an old man of unusual virtue appeared before Chōen and gave his name card as he said, “I am King Uten, related to Mañjuśrī of Wu-t’ai-shan. I offer you this card on account of your great virtues and merits acquired by reciting the Hokekyō. With Mañjuśrī, I will guard you in present and future generations.”

Chōen once visited the Kiyomizu Temple and was reciting the Hokekyō through the night. A beautiful woman of noble appearance, and decorated with beads and necklaces, appeared before him with her palms together and said in praise, “Those who are in the samādhi meditation will hear the sound of the hora instrument which resounds throughout the entire universe. The voice reciting the Hokekyō will never tire the listeners.”

Unusual events happening to Chōen were numerous. This truly must have been due to power of the marvelous Law and the assistance of Acala. Who would doubt and mistrust this sūtra? Shōen passed away during the Chōkyü era. (Page 114-115)