Priest Tenjō of Yamato Province was living on Mount Mitake. He had a strong character and lost his temper quickly. He relied on the Law, was devoted to the Hokekyō, and had memorized six rolls of the sūtra. However, he was unable to learn the seventh and the eighth rolls even though he spent days and nights in the attempt.

Months and years passed. Now Tenjō was middle-aged. Once again he decided to learn all the chapters of the sūtra and carefully recited so as to learn them by heart. He spent several months but was unable to learn even a few pages of these chapters. How could he learn an entire chapter in this way? With firmer determination, Tenjō repeated a single phrase thirty thousand times, spending days and nights. Yet he could not learn it.

Finally, Tenjō visited the Great Bodhisattva Zaō, remaining for ninety days during his summer retreat. He offered purified water, incense, and tapers six times a day, and prayed nightly three thousand times to Zaō. Towards the end of his retreat, Tenjō dreamed of the Yaksa arrayed in dragon headgear. He was dressed in a heavenly person’s garments with various ornaments, and stepped on lotus flowers, holding an iron rod in his hand. He was surrounded by his relatives. The Yaksa said to Tenjō, “Due to the karmic relationship, you are unable to learn these two chapters. In your former existence, you were a large poisonous snake living in a mountain stable of the Akaho District of Harima Province. One day, a holy man took shelter in the stable. You, the snake on the eaves, were hungry since you had been without food for a long time, and you thought of devouring the holy man.

Unaware of the snake, the holy man washed his hands and mouth, and began to recite the Hokekyō. His voice was clear and resonant as if to expiate the listeners’ sins. As the snake heard the reciting voice, he closed his eyes, suppressed his desires, left his evil thoughts, and fervently listened to the recitation.

When the holy man finished the sixth chapter, day dawned, and he left the stable without reciting the seventh and the eighth chapters. Thanks to having suppressed your evil desires and thoughts, and to having earnestly listened to the recitation, you could alter your suffering state as a snake in numerous cycles of birth and death and were reborn as a human Hokekyō devotee. Since you had not heard the last two chapters in your previous life, you are still unable to learn them in this life. Your characteristics are those of the snake. However, if you practice diligently and recite the sūtra devotedly, you will attain enlightenment in your present life and will leave the cycle of birth and death in the future.”

Tenjō woke up and appreciated his dream. His deep faith was affirmed, and he continued to recite the sūtra more fervently. Finally, a Deva King, Vaiśravaṇa, helped Tenjō to attain the Buddhahood he had desired. Tenjō passed away during the second year of Kashō. (Page 115-116)