龍舒增廣淨土文 5.6

5.6

Chengzhi, styled Zhong'en and named Yimin, relied on Master Yuan to cultivate the Pure Land together, exclusively sitting in meditation to practice contemplation. In merely half a year, while in samādhi, he saw the Buddha's light shining brilliantly and the ground entirely golden. He lived on the mountain for fifteen years. In his final years, while contemplating the Buddha, he saw Amitābha Buddha, purple-gold in body, with light from the ūrṇā radiating everywhere, lowering his hand to receive him, approaching his room. Chengzhi, comforted and fortunate, wept and stated: 'How could the Tathāgata stroke my head and cover me with his robe?' The Buddha then stroked his head and drew forward his kaṣāya to cover him. On another day, while contemplating the Buddha, he again saw himself enter a great pond of seven jewels, with blue and white lotuses intermingled, the water clear and deep as if without shore. In its midst was a person with a round halo around his neck and a svastika on his chest, who pointed to the pond water and said: 'This is the water of eight virtues; you may drink it.' Chengzhi drank the water, and sweetness filled his mouth. When he returned, he still felt an extraordinary fragrance emanating from his pores. He then said: 'My affinity with the Pure Land has arrived!' The monks of Mount Lu all gathered. Facing the Buddha image, Chengzhi burned incense, bowed twice, and prayed: 'Because of the bequeathed teachings of Śākyamuni, I know of Amitābha Buddha. This incense should first be offered to Śākyamuni Tathāgata, then to Amitābha Buddha, and thereafter to the assembly of Buddhas and bodhisattvas in the Lotus Assembly, and even to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions; I vow that all sentient beings may together be born in the Pure Land.' Having finished the prayer, he spoke his farewells to the assembly, sat upright facing west, folded his hands, and passed away at the age of fifty-nine.