Daoist Zhang Ting(張挺) was in charge of repairing the City God Temple in Huzhou(湖州). He ordered craftsmen to carve a three-zhang tall statue of the City God out of sandalwood and embroidered a ceremonial robe to dress the statue. Just three days after the new City God statue was enshrined, Zhang Ting dreamt of a giant standing before him. This giant wore a celestial crown on his head but was completely naked. Startled from his dream, Zhang Ting immediately thought of the newly erected City God statue and hurried to the temple to see what had happened.
Just then, a Daoist from the temple rushed to report that the ceremonial robe on the City God statue had been stolen. Zhang Ting promptly ordered a new robe to be made and instructed his subordinates to apprehend the thief.
Translated from《城隍赤身求衣》in 《子不語》:
張觀察挺修湖州城隍廟，以檀香雕三丈法身，繡袞為袍衣之，供奉三日矣。忽夜夢一巨人，頭帶平天冠，而身無衣服，赤兩股直立帳前。公驚醒心動，急欲赴廟查看，而廟中道士已來報神衣被竊矣。乃為另製，且命拿賊云。
Comments are closed.