188 



when he returned to Japan, obtained from Hflen Tsang, the 

 famous pilgrim who went to India in 629 and returned in 645, 

 besides a relic of Buddha and sutras a small kettle for preparing 

 medicines. Hiien Tsang had brought this kettle with him from 

 India and said that it was of the utmost value, because all 

 diseases could be cured by means of the medicines cooked in it. 

 This proved to be true, for one of Dosho's companions, who fell 

 ill before they left China, was cured at once thanks to this 

 marvellous utensil. On their way to Japan, in the midst of the 

 ocean, the ship suddenly stopped and did not move for seven 

 days, while wind and waves were raging around it in a terrible 

 way. Then a diviner said: "There is something on board which 

 is wanted by the Sea-god. I think it is the kettle". First the 

 abbot refused to give up his treasure, and said that there was 

 no reason why the Dragon-king should ask for it. But when the 

 others, afraid for their lives, urgently begged him to follow the 

 diviner's advice, the priest gave in and threw the kettle into 

 the sea. Immediately the storm and the waves abated, the ship 

 could continue its course, and soon they arrived in Japan. 

 Apparently the Dragon-king had actually wanted the offering of 

 the sacred kettle. 



The Konjaku monogatari ' describes how a Prime Minister, who 

 for his king transported a precious Buddha image across the sea, 

 was overtaken by a terrible storm. It was in vain that he threw 

 all kinds of precious things into the sea, the Dragon-king appa- 

 rently wanted something else. At last the minister understood 

 what would appease him, and, praying for his life, he offered 

 the pearl from between the eyebrows of the Buddha image. 

 The Dragon-king stretched out his hand and took the pearl, 

 whereupon the storm calmed down. Although this danger was 

 over, the minister, who was convinced that he would be decapi- 

 tated when he confessed to his sovereign the loss of the 

 pearl, wept bitterly and besought the Dragon to return the 

 treasure. Then the Sea-god appeared to him in a dream and 

 promised to restore the pearl to him, if he would stop the nine 

 tortures which were inflicted upon the dragons. Rejoiced the 

 man awok^ and, addressing the sea, answered that he was willing 

 to free the dragons from their tortures by copying and offering 

 holy Buddhist texts. And when he had done so, the Dragon-king 

 kept his promise and returned the pearl ; but it had lost its 

 lustre. The Sea-god again appeared to the minister in a dream 



1 Oh. XI, K. T. K. Vol. XVI, pp. 571 seq. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



