淨土論 3.19

3.19

A-tanyuan was a native of Lujiang. He was vigorous in serving the Buddha and kept the bodhisattva precepts; he was eighteen or nineteen years old. During the Yuanjia reign era of the Song dynasty, he turned his heart toward the Pure Land, hoping and praying for a spiritual resonance. He invited several monks, among whom the master in charge was named Seng-han. Yuan constantly inquired about the practice of repentance, fearing that because of sinful karmic conditions he would ultimately have no deep resonance. Seng-han encouraged him every time, urging him not to be indolent. On the night of the sixteenth day of the second month in the tenth year, having finished reciting the sūtras, the community of monks was already asleep. In the fourth watch, [Yuan] suddenly called out on his own: “Singing and chanting! Singing and chanting!” Seng-han was startled and asked him about it. Yuan said: “I see the Buddha's body of golden colour, in size and appearance like an image, with golden light surrounding his body, banners and flowers fluttering and filling the empty sky, coming from the west and calling for me to go quickly.” Tanyuan was usually frail, panting rapidly and gasping for breath. This evening he was robust and vigorous, his countenance moved with joy and delight; he then arose and invited the monks, had incense placed in his hands, and also took flowers to scatter toward the Buddha from afar. His mother said to Yuan: “If you leave now, do you not care for me?” Yuan said nothing, and shortly after lay down completely. Since the family had believed for many nights, upon faithfully hearing of these spiritual wonders, they were both joyful and solemn, overcome with grief and awe. At the fifth watch, Yuan suddenly passed away; the fragrance in the house did not dissipate for several days.