11 Ling-tsung, A Founder’s Journey

A biographical account of the Buddhist nun Ling-tsung from the Ssu Province, detailing her life from a young age when her family was driven from their home by nomadic tribes. The text explains that Ling-tsung had deep, unwavering faith and, after receiving help from the Three Treasures to return home, she dedicated her life to religious practice, becoming known for her sincerity, deep scholarship, and compassion for the suffering. A significant portion of the narrative focuses on her journey home, where she was aided by a white deer in crossing a river after calling upon the Three Treasures, and notes how her exemplary reputation reached Emperor Hsiao-wu. Ultimately, the account describes her peaceful death at age seventy-five, where her companion noted that her spirit had moved to the Western Paradise of Amita Buddha.