樂邦文類 1.241

1.241

佛在舍衛，有長者女名曰善信，智慧博達，常有大願，不樂世俗。自念：「萬物無常當歸於死，天地亦當敗壞，何況人身。念我父母兄弟不知罪福，貪欲無厭。我年三五，以許他男。我家兄弟受取匹帛，我身當往受諸苦難。不如今日清淨，當發上願，求覓安隱長樂之處，可以自娛。」便正一心，自誓身命。爾時天帝現於空中，告善信言：「若當自歸西方安隱清淨法國，先向十方禮拜，慈心敬意念必達也。」女便歡喜，澡浴燒香，向十方禮。天又告曰：「汝當說頌讚嘆阿彌陀佛。」善信依教。帝釋即化端生男子，手抱黃金，以頌調之。善信答頌，訶男女過。帝釋叉手勞之，欲何求索？普世無雙功德洋洋，不可稱量。善信聞已歡喜，地為大動，說偈歸佛。佛即與大眾俱飛到其家，善信禮佛，佛便放光微笑，為授二十四戒。善信聞已而得七住，即於佛前化為男子。父母兄弟皆受五戒（此緣出《經律異相》第三十八卷）。

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. There was an elder's daughter named Shanxin, who was widely learned and wise, always had great vows, and found no delight in worldly life. She thought to herself: 'All things are impermanent and must end in death; heaven and earth will also decay and collapse—how much more so the human body! I think of my parents and brothers, who do not know sin or merit and are insatiable in their greed and desire. I am fifteen years old and have already been promised to another man. My brothers have accepted bolts of silk, and my body will go off to suffer various miseries and hardships. It is better that today, while pure, I make a supreme vow to seek a place of peace, security, and everlasting joy where I may take delight.' Thereupon, straightening her whole mind, she pledged her body and life. At that time, the King of Gods appeared in mid-air and addressed Shanxin, saying: 'If you wish to take refuge in the peaceful, secure, and pure Dharma-realm in the West, first make obeisance toward the ten directions; with a compassionate heart and reverent mind, your aspiration will surely be realized.' The girl was filled with joy; she bathed, burned incense, and made obeisance toward the ten directions. The god again addressed her, saying: 'You should utter a verse in praise of Amitābha Buddha.' Shanxin acted according to the teaching. Śakra then transformed into a handsome man, holding gold in his hands, and teased her with a verse. Shanxin replied with a verse, reproaching the faults of men and women. Śakra clasped his hands and praised her: 'What do you seek? Throughout the world, your vast merit is peerless and beyond measure.' Shanxin rejoiced upon hearing this; the earth shook greatly, and she spoke a gāthā taking refuge in the Buddha. The Buddha, together with the great assembly, immediately flew to her house. Shanxin paid homage to the Buddha, and the Buddha emitted light, smiled, and conferred upon her the twenty-four precepts. Having heard them, Shanxin attained the seventh abiding stage and was immediately transformed into a man before the Buddha. Her parents and brothers all received the five precepts. (This origin story appears in the thirty-eighth fascicle of the Jinglü yixiang.)