樂邦文類 4.159

4.159

Recently, Elder Wu of Gusu retired to Yangshan, completely severing worldly ties and reciting the Buddha's name daily. Admiring his single-minded dedication, I asked what cause led to such sincere faith. Wu said joyfully: 'A while ago, when staying at Wanshou Monastery, the karmadāna Ji fell ill without recovery. Using his remaining funds, he twice requested the assembly to recite the Buddha's name. After his death, while staying in the common dormitory, [some monks] mocked his arrogance. As I entered the hall about to lie down, I heard from the beam above: "Ji has been born in the Pure Land." Startled, I stood in thought, doubting: since he had no pure karma, how could he attain rebirth? A moment later, the voice spoke again: "Because at the end of life the assembly twice recited the Buddha's name." I sighed in admiration for a long time, and from then on devoted my faith.' After I heard Wu recount this cause, I recalled Dharma Master Daoyin saying to Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang: 'The power of the Buddha and the power of the Dharma cannot be fathomed even by the three classes of worthy ones and the ten stages of sages.' Thus one knows that worldly people cannot measure this with ordinary intellect; one should simply look up with faith and practice it—that will suffice.