暮春祈雪消喉疾

滇连年灾异迭兴。喉病大作。数月不雨。死亡军官民无数。群思唐公政德。议决复请唐回任督滇。唐诣寺请公设坛祈雨。果大雨三日。而喉疾未除。须雪治方可。时在暮春。唐乃请公祈雪治喉。设坛日。果大雪盈尺。众信佛法难思。

宣化偈曰：

暮春瑞雪纷纷飘。消除喉疫救同胞。
唐公善政天心转。长老慈愿佛力昭。

Praying for snow near the end of spring to end diphtheria

Yunnan Province had seen serious disasters for several years in a row. The diphtheria epidemic continued, and there had been no rain for several months. Members of the military, public officials, and citizens perished in large numbers. Remembering the excellent administration of ex-governor T'ang, the community met and invited him to return and resume his former duties. T'ang came to the monastery and requested the Master to set up an altar to pray for rain, and as a result, it poured for three days. The diphtheria epidemic continued, however, because only a snowfall could bring it to an end. Spring was drawing to a close, and Governor T'ang requested that the Master pray for snow to end the disease An altar was set up, and when a large snowfall ensued, all the people believed in the inconceivability of the Buddhadharma.

The gatha says:
Towards the end of spring, auspicious snow floated everywhere.
It totally stopped the diphtheria and saved our countrymen.
The honorable T'ang was good at governing, influencing heaven to change its mind.
The Buddha's strength lends its aid to the Elder Master's compassionate vows.