老栗树开昙花

公应各僧伽及檀越。请讲楞严经。升座说法际。庭前老栗树。忽涌开优钵昙华数十朵。大如盆。形如芙蕖。色如黄金。含香吐蕊。中空体洁。盛开数月。而不萎谢。见者皆称奇异。叹未曾有。

宣化偈曰：

老树通灵献妙供。稚童仰首望仙华。
僧伽咸说奇华瑞。檀越皈敬胜菩提。　

Witnessing Udumbara flowers bloom on the old chestnut tree

The Master responded to an invitation by various members of the Sangha and benefactors to explain the Shurangama Sutra. When the Master had ascended his seat and was speaking the Dharma, the old chestnut tree in front of the hall suddenly blossomed, sending forth several tens of clusters of Udumbara flowers. They were big as basins and had the form of peonies, with a golden-yellow hue. Rare fragrance exuded from them; and they were empty in the middle, reflecting their purity of form. They bloomed lushly for several months and did not wither. Everyone who saw them pronounced it a marvel and exclaimed that there had never been anything like it before.

The gatha says:
A little magic by the old tree brought forth miraculous offerings,
As the youngsters turned their heads to gaze at the supernatural blooms.
All the Sanghans together agreed on the flowers' propitious rarity,
While respectful donors took refuge with sublime Bodhi