一〇、唐荊州姊妹二尼傳
Biography of Two Nuns from Jingzhou in the Tang Dynasty
姊妹二尼，荊州人。貞觀初，同誦法華，深厭形器，俱欲捨身求無上道。從此漸斷粒食，服諸香油，預告道俗，克日焚然。即於城大街置二高座，以蠟布纏身，唯出面目誦法華。至藥王品，姊先以火炷妹頂，妹即以火炷姊頂。清夜，兩炬炳耀同輝，火沿至眼，經聲尚明。至於明旦，合座同燒，骨肉並銷，二舌俱在。眾為起塔，以旌萬世。
Two nuns, sisters from Jingzhou, in the early years of the Zhenguan era, both recited the Lotus Sutra. Deeply weary of the physical body, they both wished to renounce their lives in pursuit of the supreme path. Gradually, they began to abstain from food, consuming only various fragrant oils. They informed the monastic and lay communities in advance, setting a date for their self-immolation.
On the appointed day, they placed two high platforms in the main street of the city. Wrapped in wax-soaked cloth, with only their faces exposed, they recited the Lotus Sutra. When they reached the chapter of the Medicine King, the elder sister first lit a torch and touched it to her younger sister’s head, and the younger sister then did the same for her elder sister.
In the clear night, two torches blazed brightly side by side. As the flames reached their eyes, the sound of their sutra recitation remained clear and unwavering. By dawn, the entire platforms were consumed by fire, their flesh and bones turned to ash—yet both their tongues remained intact.
The people built a stupa in their honor, to commemorate their devotion for generations to come.