樂邦遺稿 2.53

2.53

《龍舒淨土文》曰「本朝有二青草堂，在前者年九十餘，有曾家婦女常為齋供及布施衣物。草堂感其恩，乃語之曰：『老僧死，當為夫人作兒子。』一日婦人忽產，遣人往看草堂，已坐亡矣。所生子即曾魯公也。以前世為僧修福慧故，少年登科，其後作宰相。此亦誤也，蓋不出生死而在輪迴世界中，以區區恩惠為人作子，不脫貪愛。其失計甚矣。」

The Longshu Pure Land Writings says: "In our dynasty there were two monks named Qingcaotang. The earlier one was over ninety years old; a woman of the Zeng family often provided him with vegetarian feasts and gave him gifts of clothing and items. Caotang was grateful for her kindness and said to her: 'When this old monk dies, I shall become your son, Madam.' One day the woman suddenly gave birth; she sent someone to go check on Caotang, and he had already passed away seated. The son born was none other than Duke Zeng Lu. Because in his past life as a monk he had cultivated merit and wisdom, he passed the examinations at a young age, and later became prime minister. This too was an error: because he did not transcend birth and death but remained in the world of saṃsāra, becoming someone's son for the sake of petty favors, he did not free himself from craving and affection. His miscalculation was severe indeed."