佛祖統紀 15.43

15.43

Dharma Master Jieran was a native of Yin in Siming. He received his training at Yanshou on Mount Fuquan. When Mingzhi resided at Nanhu, he followed him in study and attained awakening to the purport of object and contemplation. At the beginning of the Yuanfeng era, he exclusively cultivated the pure karma for three years. When the period was completed, he said to his fellow cultivators Huiguan, Zhongzhang, and Zongyue: 'The Buddha-mindfulness samādhi is the essential method for rebirth [in the Pure Land].' He then burned three of his fingers and vowed to build a Sixteen Contemplations Hall, within which was established a Hall of the Three Sages of the West, surrounded by lotus ponds. When the work was accomplished, he again burned three fingers to repay the Buddha's benevolence. Thereupon, those who cultivated contemplation had a place to rely upon.