樂邦文類 3.115

3.115

5. Master Zongze was granted the title Cijue. During the Yuanyou era, he resided at Changlu Monastery in Zhenzhou. He was thoroughly versed in both doctrinal teachings and the essence of Chan, and diligently transformed beings. His *Weijiang ji* circulated in the world; inside, various Buddhist services were laid out, and in none did he fail to bring his compassionate mindfulness to bear. Because the Master benefited both himself and others with vows of immense depth, he was able to carry forward the Buddha's transformation from afar in this manner. Yet some people did not understand, and conversely resented his earnest concern. Alas! While the Master was at Changlu, an ocean-like assembly gathered like clouds. Mindful that the fire of impermanence burns on all four sides, how could one sit at ease and await destruction? Thereupon, following the regulations of Mount Lu, he established the Wondrous Lotus Society to widely encourage the practice of the buddha-mindfulness samādhi. The method was to chant 'Amitābha Buddha' daily, either a hundred, a thousand, or up to ten thousand times, dedicating the merit toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land, recording it each day with the character 'ten' [as a tally mark]. At that time, this moved the two great bodhisattvas Samantabhadra and Puhui to attend the gathering and bear witness to this wondrous event. Had his actions and cultivation not accorded with the holy, how could it have come to this? Lingzhi called him a Mahāyāna master of recent times; indeed, he was truly a Mahāyāna master!