Sheng Gong Expounds the Dharma, Stones Nod in Understanding

The monk Daosheng once said: "Even icchantikas can attain Buddhahood." Since there was no scriptural basis or proof for this assertion, everyone considered it erroneous. However, the Venerable Shenggong (Daosheng) insisted on his view and refused to recant, leading the monastic community to expel him. Left with no alternative, Shenggong then expounded this doctrine to a stone, which nodded as if moved by his words. Not long after, the Mahaparinirvana Sutra was transmitted from Western India to China. Within this sutra, the Buddha stated that icchantikas, upon eliminating all ignorance and karmic obstacles, can indeed attain Buddhahood. This confirmed the correctness of Daosheng's teaching, and he was consequently readmitted and accepted back into the monastic community.