淨土論 3.22

3.22

Next, there was an old man of Fenyang County in Bingzhou, whose name the biographers do not record. In the fifth year of the Zhenguan reign era, hearing about the merits of attaining rebirth in the Pure Land, he thereupon brought provisions and, relying on the Faren Mountain Monastery, borrowed a room from the monks to reside in; day and night he exclusively practiced mindfulness of Amitābha Buddha, his eyes knowing no sleep. For three to five years, he cultivated the practice of mindfulness of the Buddha. When he was on the verge of death, the disciples sent a messenger to call his companion to bring his son to come and look after him together. He informed the disciples, saying: “Lately, day after day, innumerable masters and monks from the west come from the west and all go eastward, as if proceeding to a vegetarian feast for monks.” He also told his son, saying: “Tomorrow a light will come to shine upon me; do not consider it strange.” When the time arrived the next day, it was indeed as he had said: a light came to shine, pervading the interior of the room. The old man faced west, looking as though he were ascending something, and thereupon passed away.