佛祖統紀 13.39

13.39

Dharma Master Fazong was surnamed Yan and hailed from Qiantang. At ten, he took Guangci as his master, and at twelve, he received the full precepts, focusing exclusively on studying the teachings and contemplations. At nineteen, he went to follow Guanghui. He diligently served his first master for ten years; when Guangci retired to live in leisure, the Master returned to attend to him day and night, receiving his Dharma instruction in person. Relying on Zhiguan, he cultivated the Great Compassion Samādhi continuously for nine years; people regarded him as the “Penitence Master.” Whenever he prayed for matters or interceded for illness, he obtained sacred responses in every case. He established a Pure Land bodhimaṇḍa, carved statues of the Three Holy Ones of the Western Realm, and burned five of his fingers in offering to the Buddha. Each month, he gathered forty-eight people to cultivate the pure karma together; famous officials and worthy scholars frequently joined the assembly. In the spring of the dingyou year of the Zhenghe reign period, he suffered a slight illness and dreamed that the holy assembly of Amitābha reached out their hands to welcome and lead him. Three days later, he bathed his body, changed his clothes, rinsed his mouth, sat cross-legged, and suddenly passed away. The Master had previously heard of the supreme causes of the Tianzhu Golden Light Repentance period and participated in the joint cultivation. On the fifth day, in his meditative contemplation, he saw Dharma Master Ciyun attended by several tens of monks. The Master bowed and asked, “Have those who cultivated together in the past all attained rebirth?” Ciyun said, “Yuanzhao of later times has already attained rebirth. Zeying still wishes to propagate sūtras in the three lower destinies (later Master Ying indeed had this vow). You should practice diligently to accomplish your original vow.” Having spoken, he disappeared.