32.潮音洞见金龙 Seeing a golden dragon at Chao Yang Cave

潮音洞见金龙

又大潮来时。滔天波浪中。潮阳洞前来一龙。鳞甲金色。四足全身。及尾皆见。惟不见首。其尾似鱼尾。久之乃没。此龙之来。或知大德高僧莅止。故而出现。以示迎迓。藉伸护敬永作卫灵。

宣化偈曰： 潮阳洞前见金龙。全身金色四足清。 问尔为何来显现。祇缘彼岸有至人。

Seeing a golden dragon at Ch’ao Yang Cave

Moreover, at that time, a golden-scaled dragon rose out of the tremendous breakers which swell from the sea in front of Ch’ao Yang Cave. Although its entire body, four legs and fish-like tail were all visible, its head was not. After a while, it submerged. Perhaps this dragon appeared, sensing that a highly virtuous, eminent Sangha member had arrived, and came out to welcome him. It was an immortal guardian spirit who showed its respect by extending its protection.

The verse says: Out in front of Ch’ao Yang Cave, he saw a golden dragon, Its entire body of golden hue, its four legs in evidence. Why indeed, I ask you, came this apparition? Just because a sage now dwells on this shore.