龍舒增廣淨土文 5.60

5.60

The District Lady was surnamed Wu. Her husband, Lü Hong, an official in the Ministry of Justice, also realized the Buddhist principles, and husband and wife each observed the precepts and cultivated pure conduct. Madame Wu had two maidservants who likewise abstained from meat and blood, diligently helping in virtuous deeds. One of them was rather fond of Chan teachings; when she fell ill, she nonetheless passed away smiling and chatting cheerfully, as if discarding an old garment. The other observed the precepts austerely; at times she would not eat for an entire month, only drinking daily a cup of Avalokiteśvara pure water empowered by Madame Wu's incantations. Suddenly, she saw golden lotuses supporting feet three times. After a few more days she saw the knees; after a few more days, the torso; after a few more days, the face. In the center was Amitābha Buddha, flanked on the left and right by Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta. Furthermore, she completely saw their halls, palaces, and realms, as distinct as looking at the palm of her hand, clearly knowing it to be the Pure Land. When asked for details, she said: 'There are only pure men walking in meditation and taking delight; there are no women.' When asked again, 'How does that Buddha preach the Dharma?' she said: 'I have attained the divine eye, but have not yet attained the divine ear. Therefore, I only see their questions, answers, gestures, and gazes, but cannot hear what is spoken.' It continued like this for three years, never absent from her sight for even an instant. Suddenly contracting an illness, she stated of her own accord that she was being reborn, and then passed away. Madame Wu served Avalokiteśvara with spiritual efficacy. In her clean room she would often arrange dozens of jars and pots, fill them with water, hold a willow branch in her hand, and recite incantations; she would invariably see Avalokiteśvara radiate light into the jars and pots. Those suffering from illnesses were healed whenever they drank the water. The empowered water did not spoil after years, nor did it freeze in bitter cold. People of the world called her the 'Avalokiteśvara District Lady.'