樂邦遺稿 2.19

2.19

The Song Dynasty Biographies of Eminent Monks states: "In Taizhou there was Chan Master Huaiyu, who upheld the Vinaya rules with steep and lofty integrity. He wore only cotton robes, ate only one meal [a day], and constantly sat without lying down. Daily he recited the name of Amitābha Buddha fifty thousand times, and his total practice of the Amitābha Sūtra amounted to three hundred thousand rolls. One day, he suddenly saw the noble assembly of the Western Land, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. Among them was one person who held a silver dais and entered through the window. Huaiyu said: 'I myself wish to obtain a golden dais for rebirth.' Thereupon it vanished. Huaiyu doubled his diligence. Later, he heard a voice in the sky say: 'Master, a halo of light already surrounds your head; please sit cross-legged and form the mudrā.' At that time, the Buddha's light filled the room, and the Master said: 'I am going.' A disciple asked: 'Where are you going?' The Master spoke a verse, saying:
'Pure, white, and clean, free from dust and defilement,
A lotus flower transformed into birth is my father and mother.
Since I cultivated the Path, ten kalpas have passed;
Manifesting in Jambudvīpa, I grew weary of the multitude of sufferings.
A lifetime of bitter practice surpasses ten kalpas;
Forever leaving the Sahā world, I return to the Pure Land.'
Having spoken, he passed away with a smile. The Prefect Duan Huairan was astonished when he saw it, and composed a verse in praise, saying:
'In a single thought, my Master ascended to the First Ground;
The music of the Buddha-land came twice.
There is only the old locust tree in front of the gate,
Whose branches hang low merely to suspend the golden dais.'"