念佛鏡 1.46

1.46

"Furthermore, according to the text of the Nirvāṇa-sūtra: 'There were five hundred bandits who engaged in robbery in the wilderness. After King Prasenajit captured them, he gouged out both of their eyes, cut off their hands and feet, and threw them into a pit. At that time, one among the bandits had previously heard from the Buddha that reciting the Buddha's name saves people from distress and suffering. He then taught them in turn, and with one mind they recited the Buddha's name. At that moment, the bandits jointly made a vow and called the Buddha's name three times; their eyes were restored and their hands and feet became as before.' From this, we know that the benefits of buddhānusmṛti are inconceivable. Furthermore, that sūtra states: 'In the country of India, there was an upāsikā who faithfully revered the Three Jewels and always took pleasure in making offerings to all the sangha. Among them was a monk whose body suffered from a severe illness. A fine physician examined him and said that human meat must be made into a broth, and by consuming it his illness would be cured. At that time, because the upāsikā revered the Three Jewels, she cut off flesh from her body to offer to the monk. After the monk consumed it, his illness was cured. The wounds on the upāsikā's body were painful and agonizing, beyond endurance. She immediately recited the Buddha's name, and the pain and agony were completely removed, and the wounds on her body were restored as before.' From this, we know that the benefits of buddhānusmṛti are inconceivable.