佛祖統紀 15.52

15.52

Dharma Master Zhixian came from the Li clan of Xianju and was styled Zhenjiao. In his youth, he took no delight in the secular world, often saying, 'How could worldly glory and wealth relieve me of a lifetime of pure aspirations?' He thereupon donned monastic robes and travelled to study, arriving at Tianzhu, where he attained the way of contemplation under Head Monk Mingyi. Returning to his home region, he relied on Master Hui of Bailian, and in listening to Zhi Guan, he attained great illumination. After a long time, he succeeded to his seat. His continuous mindfulness was focused solely on the Pure Land. Someone said, 'The Lotus Samādhi is one land is all lands, one body is all bodies, one Buddha is all Buddhas. Why not rely on cessation and contemplation to cultivate the Lotus Samādhi as the cause for rebirth?' The master said, 'Jingxi said that in the "Chapter on the Discrimination of Merits," directly contemplating this land as fully endowed with the four lands, this Buddha body is therefore the three Buddha bodies, and this great assembly is therefore all assemblies. Because delusions are not yet severed, the peaceful practices are a portion of the practice of the co-dwelling pure land; therefore, without leaving the defiled co-dwelling [land], one sees the pure co-dwelling [land].' The questioner asked, 'There are many kinds of co-dwelling lands; why must it be the Ultimate Bliss?' The master said, 'Because the teachings explain it extensively; because past karmic affinity with it is deep; because it causes one to focus singularly; and because it gathers sentient beings.' When the master was observing the rains retreat, he felt slightly unwell. He went to take his leave of the commandery and county officials, returned to the monastery, shut the gates, and cut off guests. The assembly asked to summon a physician, but he had them present him with generous parting gifts and send him away. He then turned his bed toward the west, set up an image of Amitābha, and requested the practitioners to recite the sutra. When the scroll came to an end, he transformed. At that time, at Nengren, the sound of chanting the Buddha's name was heard boiling up into the sky, and celestial music filled the ears. A stūpa was erected in the northeast corner of the courtyard.