佛祖統紀 27.65

27.65

Shandao was a native of Linzi. Entering the great canon, he reached his hand at will into the scrolls and obtained the Sūtra on the Contemplation of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life; thereupon he specialized in cultivating the sixteen wondrous contemplations. When he went to Mount Lu to view the traces of Master [Hui]yuan, his contemplation was broadened and deepened. Later, he lived in seclusion on Mount Zhongnan, practicing the Pratyutpanna Samādhi for several years, beholding jeweled pavilions and jade ponds as clearly as if before his eyes. He then went to Jinyang, received the Amitāyus Sūtra from Chan Master Chuo, and entered samādhi for seven days. Chuo asked him to observe the place of his future rebirth. Shandao reported, 'Master, you must repent of three sins before you can attain rebirth: You once placed a Buddha image beneath the eaves and window while you resided in an inner room—this is the first sin, which should be repented before the Buddha. You also once made servants of monastics—this is the second sin, which should be repented before the Saṅgha of the four directions. Moreover, when building houses, you harmed many insect lives—this is the third sin, which should be repented before all sentient beings.' Chuo quietly reflected on his past faults and cleansed his heart in repentance for a long time. Shandao then emerged from samādhi and told Chuo, 'Your sins are extinguished; when a white light comes to illuminate you later, that will be the sign of your rebirth.' Shandao taught and transformed in the capital, and those who took refuge in him were as numerous as a marketplace. Suddenly he contracted a slight illness; he shut his room, peacefully passed away, and an extraordinary fragrance and celestial music receded toward the west.