佛祖統紀 28

English (machine translation) 28

Language: English

28.1

Compiled by the Śramaṇa Zhipan of Donghu in Siming during the Jingding era of the Song

28.2

Treatise on Establishing the Teaching of the Pure Land, Part Twelve, Section Three

28.3

Biographies of Eminent Nuns Reborn in the Pure Land

Fasheng resided at Daochang Monastery in Jinling, practicing the sixteen contemplations. One evening, after bowing before an image, she fell ill and took a brief rest. She saw a Mahāsattva riding a cloud of variegated flowers and emitting precious-colored light, coming forward to welcome her. At that time, several nuns knocked on the door to inquire about her illness; all saw the brilliant light overflowing. Fasheng said, “The Buddha and bodhisattvas have emitted light to deliver me.” When her words ended, she passed away.

28.5

Daoyuan was a native of Danyang. Previously, she had fashioned seven large images in various monasteries, striving for extreme refinement and beauty. She also cast an image of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life from gold and copper. Suddenly, a great brilliant light radiated from between its eyebrows, and the ground all turned golden. The image bestowed a prophecy upon Daoyuan, saying, “When you abandon this body, you will certainly be born in my land.” Thereupon, she sat upright before the image and passed away.

28.6

Fazang resided in Jinling and was diligent in reciting the Buddha’s name. At night she saw the Buddha and bodhisattvas coming to console her; their brilliant light illuminated the monastery, and she peacefully passed away.

28.7

Jingzhen resided at Jishan Monastery in Chang'an, wearing patched robes and begging for food. She recited the Diamond Sūtra one hundred thousand times and single-mindedly recited the Buddha’s name. She told her disciples, “Within the fifth month I have seen the Buddha ten times, and twice I have seen boys playing upon precious lotus flowers in the Pure Land. I have already attained birth in the superior grade.” Having finished speaking, she sat cross-legged and passed away, an auspicious light filling the monastery.

28.8

Wuxing resided on Mount Lu, reciting the Buddha’s name and vowing to seek rebirth. Suddenly hearing music in the sky, she said to those around her, “I have already attained birth in the middling grade. I see that for those fellow practitioners who are diligent in reciting the Buddha’s name, lotus flowers have all sprouted in the precious ponds awaiting their birth.” Having finished speaking, she passed away.

28.9

Nengfeng was a native of Qiantang. She exclusively cultivated the Pure Land karma. She often dreamed of the Buddha’s light illuminating her body, or heard the virtuous words of nuns opening her mind. One day, without illness, she told her disciples, “The time for my rebirth has arrived.” A short while later, hearing Nengfeng’s voice reciting the Buddha’s name grow loud and clear, they rushed to look: she had joined her palms, faced west, and passed away while sitting. An extraordinary fragrance filled the room, and musical sounds traveled westward.

28.10

Hui'an resided in Siming and belonged to the family of Yao Ying, the grand champion of Xiashui. She lived at the Yang Family Hermitage in Xiaoxi, exclusively practicing for the Western Pure Land. She recited the Diamond Prajñā without changing her routine through cold and heat. Often, the Buddha’s light shone down inside her room. One day, she manifested illness. Sitting upright, she waved her hand and cautioned the crowd not to make noise. After some time, she said, “The Buddha has arrived.” She had the assembly recite the Buddha’s name, and swiftly passed away at the age of ninety-six.

28.11

Biographies of Miscellaneous Persons Reborn in the Pure Land

28.12

In the Sui dynasty, there were two novices by the Wenshui River who were united in their aim of reciting the Buddha’s name. After five years, the elder one died first and attained birth in the Pure Land. Seeing the Buddha, he rejoiced and said to the Buddha, “There is a younger novice who cultivated together with me; I do not know whether he can attain birth or not.” The Buddha said, “Originally you had no mind to recite the Buddha’s name; it was because of his encouragement. You should now return and cultivate Pure Land karma even more diligently; after three years, you may come here together.” When the time came, the Buddha and the assembly of sages came from the west to welcome them. The great earth shook, and heavenly flowers fluttered down. The two novices passed away at the same time.

28.13

Wei Shizan was a native of Yongzhou. He became a novice boy at the age of fourteen and recited the Buddha’s name without cease. Stricken by illness, he died, but suddenly revived and told his parents, “Amitābha Buddha has come here; I must follow him.” Neighbors saw a precious terrace in the sky and five-colored extraordinary light disappearing toward the west.

28.14

He Tanyuan was a native of Qiantang. He upheld the bodhisattva precepts and cultivated Pure Land karma. Reciting the Buddha’s name in the middle of the night, he suddenly said to his teacher, “I see the Buddha’s golden body, with banners and flowers filling the sky, and an extraordinary fragrance filling the room.” In an instant, he passed away.

28.15

At Dashan Monastery in Yue, there was an unordained attendant who always followed his teacher Shanhui in reciting the Buddha’s name and bowing. One night, he dreamed of a woman holding rosary beads for sale. The boy said, “I want a strand, but I regret having no money to buy it.” The woman said, “I will give them to you. You may open your mouth.” She then tossed the rosary beads into his mouth. The boy told his teacher about this, and Hui said, “This is Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva granting you the samādhi of mindfulness of the Buddha.” Several days later, the boy saw two Mahāsattvas holding a flower throne, giving it to him and saying, “In seven days, you shall ride this to be born in the Pure Land.” Whenever the boy met anyone, he said, “In seven days, I shall be reborn.” When the time came, he suddenly called out himself, “The bodhisattvas have come!” and passed away upon his seat.

28.16

The Daoist practitioner Ni was a native of Renhe. He abandoned his family to become a practitioner, built a small hermitage, and concentrated his mind on reciting the Buddha’s name. He wished to burn his body on behalf of all suffering sentient beings as an offering to the Buddhas. After a long time, three clusters of red wisteria grew in front of his sleeping couch. He said to the assembly, “If this wisteria withers, I shall depart for the west.” Half a month before his death, he gathered the assembly to recite the Buddha’s name, reaching ten thousand people. The evening before he burned his body, that ground suddenly radiated a golden light about half a foot high; when he cupped it with his hand, it floated upon his palm. He also said to the assembly, “When I burn my body, there will certainly be purple and blue clouds passing from the northeast to the southwest; this will be a sign of my rebirth.” Torches were then lit on all four sides, and he sat upright in their midst. Indeed, there was the auspicious sign of clouds of the two colors.

28.17

Biographies of Dukes and Ministers Reborn in the Pure Land (Laymen Appended)

28.18

Bai Juyi went by the sobriquet Layman Xiangshan. His official post was Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. At first, he encouraged one hundred and forty-eight people to form an Upper Rebirth Society, walking while reciting the name of the Compassionate One and sitting while contemplating the form of the Compassionate One, vowing to certainly be born in Tuṣita in a future life. In his later years, afflicted by paralysis, he devoted his mind exclusively to the Western Land and prayed for birth in Sukhāvatī. He had a scroll of the Western Transformation Tableau painted and made a vow for it: “The Land of Ultimate Bliss is a pure realm, / Free of the evil destinies and all sufferings. / I vow that those who, like my own body, suffer from illness, / May be born together in the dwelling of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life.” One evening, reciting the Buddha’s name while sitting on his couch, he swiftly passed away (Tang).

28.19

Wei Wenjin held the rank of Surveillance Commissioner. He established a Western bodhimaṇḍa, reciting the Buddha’s name and making vows. One day, right in the midst of reciting the Buddha’s name, he suddenly faced west, sat cross-legged, and passed away, an extraordinary fragrance filling the room (Tang).

28.20

Zhang Kang served the Later Jin as an Academician of the Hanlin Academy. His daily practice was to recite the Great Compassion Dhāraṇī one hundred thousand times, vowing to be born in the west. One day, bedridden with illness, he recited only the Buddha’s name. Suddenly, he said to his family, “The Western Pure Land is right on the west side of the main hall. Amitābha Buddha is sitting on a lotus flower. I see Weng’er bowing and playing on the golden sands of the lotus pond.” After a while, reciting the Buddha’s name, he passed away. Weng’er was Kang’s grandson.

28.21

Zhongli Jin was a native of Kuaiji. His post reached Junior Tutor. In his youth he served his mother, Lady Ren. The lady meticulously cultivated Pure Land karma; at the age of ninety-eight, her daily life was as normal. Suddenly she cautioned Jin, saying, “Everyone has an Amitābha within; why cast it aside? Thought after thought is none other than Ultimate Bliss; why fail to return? Tomorrow, I shall depart.” When morning came, she lit incense and recited the Buddha’s name far beyond her normal routine, joined her palms, and passed away. Jin’s daily task was to perform twenty deeds of benefit. Later, when he was magistrate of Jishui, he took a concubine; when his daughter married, upon inquiring into her background, she turned out to be the daughter of the former magistrate. He reported this to his relatives, delaying the marriage proposals, intending to marry off the former magistrate’s daughter first. The relative replied in a letter, “How can you alone claim such noble virtue? I have a nephew; let us divide the dowry equally so that both weddings may take place together.” Jin agreed. Suddenly, he dreamed that the former magistrate came to thank him, saying, “My humble daughter has received your kindness; I have already reported this to Shangdi. For ten generations, you shall possess lands. Moreover, you shall be born in the Pure Land in one more twelve-year cycle.” Soon afterward, he became Judicial Commissioner of Western Zhe. He discussed the essential points of rebirth with the Repentance Master Ciyun, and his pure practice became even more earnest. Ever since Lady Ren had owned a sandalwood Buddha image, she had always carried it on her head while circumambulating; Jin continued her practice. Suddenly, several relics burst forth from between the eyebrows of the image. Before long, he became Prefect of Kaifeng. Suddenly rising at midnight, he said to his family, “Lady Ren has announced to me that the time of my rebirth has arrived.” He then sat cross-legged and passed away. The day before, the entire household had dreamed that he was riding a blue lotus throne, with celestial music and extraordinary fragrances, and the ocean-like assembly welcoming him westward. Counting the years, it was exactly one twelve-year cycle (Song).

28.22

Zhongli Jingrong was the seventh son of the Junior Tutor. His post was Grand Master for Court Audiences. He constantly recited the Contemplation Sūtra and recited the Buddha’s name without cease. He hung up his cap, abandoned his official career, and built a thatched hut next to the Eastern Garden in Yizhen. He once said: “If you recognize Amitābha, / It is Amitābha, Amitābha! / If you do not recognize Amitābha, / What can you do, what can you do? / If you do not recognize Amitābha, / Amitābha is outside in the west. / If you recognize Amitābha, / Amitābha is right in your own home.” One evening, he instructed the monk Miaoying to recite the Samantabhadra's Vows Chapter. Lighting incense and listening reverently, when it was finished, he formed a mudrā with both hands and passed away. From Lady Ren down to the Junior Tutor and the Grand Master, three generations attained rebirth in the Pure Land. His great-grandson Song lived in Wu. During the Qiandao era, while managing an ancestral shrine in Wu Commandery, he formed an association to recite the Buddha’s name together with Master Shi of Baoji, Lü Ji of Dongping, and others. Free of any illness, he suddenly sat upright facing west, joined his palms, and passed away.

28.23

Yang Jie, styled Cigong, was a native of Wuwei. His official post was Director of the Bureau of Receptions in the Ministry of Rites. He traveled throughout Chan monasteries, visiting and seeking spiritual mentors. In his later years, he painted an image of the Western Buddha, which he carried along for contemplation. On the day he relinquished his lifespan, he felt the Buddha coming to welcome him; he sat upright and passed away.

28.24

Ma Liang held the rank of Vice Minister and was Governor of Hangzhou. He went to Lingshan to learn the Pure Land karma. Ciyun composed for him the Pure Land Practices and Vows and the Brief Biographies of Pure Land Rebirth. When approaching the end, he recited the Buddha’s name and passed away.

28.25

His son Gan, a Court-Attending Official, also applied his mind according to the Treatise on the Ten Doubts. While in office, he read the Buddhist canon; reciting sūtras and reciting the Buddha’s name were his daily routines. Suddenly, one day, he changed his clothes, recited the Buddha’s name, sat upright, and passed away. There was a vapor like a blue canopy that emerged from the door and ascended into the sky, heading west. The mourning table frequently manifested auspicious light.

28.26

Gan’s son Yongyi held the post of Court Gentleman for Manifesting Righteousness. He constantly practiced the sixteen contemplations for thirty years. Suddenly, he saw the Three Sages coming to welcome him; forming a mudrā, he passed away. The crown of his head was warm and gave off an extraordinary fragrance.

28.27

Gan’s wife, Lady Wang, cultivated the ten-recitations practice and upheld the dhāraṇī for shattering the hells. She once dreamed that the lord of the hells thanked her for the gift of upholding the verses and dhāraṇī. Later, while bedridden with illness, she recited the Buddha’s name and died. Relatives and maidservants all dreamed that Lady Wang said she had attained birth in the Pure Land.

28.28

Hu Yin held the post of Vice Minister and Court Gentleman for Manifesting Righteousness; he was the son of Hu Ze. In his later years, he retired from office and enjoyed his leisure by the West Lake. He was on good terms with Vinaya Master Qingzhao. One day, being ill, he asked the Vinaya Master, “Why is it that a single recitation of the Buddha’s name can eradicate the heavy sins of birth and death of eighty billion kalpas?” The master said, “The Buddha’s great majesty and virtue are such that when sentient beings once recite his name, their sinful defilements naturally melt away, just as when the bright sun is at high noon, how could frost and dew remain?” Yin was greatly awakened and single-mindedly recited the Buddha’s name, inviting monks to assist him. One day, when the Vinaya Master arrived, Yin said, “I have been favored by the two Mahāsattvas descending and remaining here for a long time.” The master performed repentance and made vows on his behalf. Suddenly, Yin recited the Buddha’s name in a loud voice, sat peacefully, and passed away.

28.29

Ge Fan was a native of Chengjiang. In his youth, he passed the civil service examinations, and his rank reached Grand Master for Closing Court. Whenever he was in his official residence or private home, he would always adorn a pure chamber and install an image of the Buddha. Every time he entered the chamber to bow and chant, relics would descend from the sky. He broadly encouraged both clergy and laity to cultivate Pure Land karma together, and all were transformed by his influence. A monk in samādhi traveled to the Pure Land and saw Fan and Vice Minister Wang Gu strolling together among the precious ponds and rows of trees. Soon after, it was heard that Fan had passed away without illness.

28.30

Wang Gu was a native of Yizhen. He served as Vice Minister of Rites and was a companion in Chan with Huitang and Yangqi. He once composed the Zhizhi jingtu jueyi ji (Collection of Resolving Doubts by Directly Pointing to the Pure Land), for which Yang Jie wrote a preface. He also enlarged and supplemented the Wangsheng jingtu zhuan (Biographies of Rebirth in the Pure Land); both works circulated throughout the world. In daily life, his aspiration was set on rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Approaching the end, he suffered no pain; suddenly the entire room was filled with brilliant light, and he passed away sitting upright. Someone dreamt of Wang Gu riding a lotus flower, departing to the west.

28.31

Jiang Gongwang was a native of Diaotai. He served as Policy Monitor. Having passed the examinations in his youth, he ate vegetarian food and cultivated purity, composing the Puti wen (Text on Bodhi) and Nianfo fangbian wen (Expedient Means of Recollecting the Buddha) to exhort both clergy and laity. He had a son who died young, who appeared to his maternal uncle in a dream, saying: 'I wish to petition my father to please visit Tianning Temple and read the Ratnakūṭa Sūtra, so that I may be born in a good destination. My father's cultivation and merit are already accomplished; in the underworld there is a gold-lettered plaque that reads: "Jiang Gongwang of Yanzhou: in person he holds an eminent post of remonstrance, yet in aspiration he longs for suffering and emptiness; he personally attends to fragrant cultivation, and his mind is free of attachment and defilement; whether active or still, he never forgets the Buddha's Dharma; in speech and discussion, he never departs from the ancestral traditions; his name is already released in advance from the dark barriers; his body will surely return to the Pure Land."' At the end of the Xuanhe era, he was appointed Governor of the Guande Military Prefecture. One morning, without illness, he sat upright facing west and passed away.

28.32

Wang Zhong lived at Gushan in Qiantang, the former site of Lin Hejing. He lived in seclusion and self-contentment. During the Zhenghe era, he was recommended as a recluse, and the imperial court honored him with the title of Retired Scholar. Later, his official post reached that of Grand Master of Court Splendor. Devoting his mind to pure karma, he had a great awakening. Daily, he recited the Amitābha Sūtra seven times and the Buddha's name ten thousand times, never intermitting for nineteen years. One day, without illness, he bathed, sat cross-legged facing west, and passed away.

28.33

Zhang Di lived in Qiantang. He held the post of Assistant Instructor. He received the Bodhisattva Precepts from Vinaya Master Yuanjing and consulted him on the Dharma gate of pure karma. He burned incense on his arm to make a vow. Whenever he recited the Buddha's name, he raised his voice with such vigour that even when he lost his voice, he still would not cease. One day he said to Yuanjing: 'Your disciple recently, while in the quiet room, saw a white kalaviṅka flying and dancing in front of me. Moreover, in visualization I saw an infant with green hair joining his palms to pay respects.' Three years later, while reciting the Buddha's name, he gazed to the west and passed away.

28.34

Jia Chunren was a native of Zhachuan. He attained the post of Vice Prefect of Yingzhou. He devoted his mind to pure karma, kept a perpetual vegetarian fast, and recited the Buddha's name. Because of a slight illness, he sat peacefully facing west and passed away. Above the crown of his head was a round sign of white light, and a wondrous fragrance filled the room.

28.35

Mei Runeng was a native of Changshu. His official career reached the rank of County Magistrate. He had long set his aspiration on pure karma. Suddenly, he dreamt that a monk gave him one hundred sheets of paper, cut through to form the characters 'two' and 'eight' (二八). He asked Master Dongling Zhao about this. The master said: 'Two times eight is sixteen. Does this not refer to the Sūtra on the Sixteen Contemplations (Guanjing)?' Just then, a monk handed him the sūtra and suddenly disappeared. From then on, he recited the sūtra and the Buddha's name, adopting the name Wangsheng (Rebirth) to manifest his aspiration. Because Master Daosheng of Poshan in the county was crafting a sixteen-foot image of Amitābha, Runeng donated one million cash to ornament it, providing a vegetarian feast for its consecration and repentance. In the pond before the hall, a twin-headed white lotus sprouted with a hundred petals. In the winter of that year, Runeng died without illness. Soon after, Daosheng also died.

28.36

Feng Ji was a native of Suining who styled himself Retired Scholar Budong (Unmoving). He passed the examinations through the Imperial Academy. At first he sought the Dao in the Chan monasteries; in his later years, he exclusively revered pure karma, composing the Xifang liwen (Liturgy of the West) and the Mituo chan-yi (Amitābha Repentance Ritual). Returning to his native commandery, he formed Pure Land societies; through his devotion, white light from an incense burner spanned the sky, and relics appeared in response. During the military disturbances of the Jingkang era, the scriptures in the treasuries of famous mountains were mostly destroyed. Feng Ji accumulated his salary to produce forty-eight sets of the Great Canon, and forty-eight sets of the four great sections of the Lesser Canon. He crafted a sandalwood image of Amitābha's manifestations in the nine grades of rebirth, carrying it with him to worship and make offerings. Later, serving as a Supervising Secretary, he was dispatched to take military command of Lunan, where he led both clergy and laity to hold meetings of continuous recollection (xinian). When he was stationed at Changsha, he set up a high seat in the administrative hall, donned monk's robes, ascended the seat, took leave of the officials, placed his staff across his knees, and passed away.

28.37

Wu Bingxin was a native of Siming. He built a hermitage south of the city to sit in meditation. He crafted a coffin and slept inside it at night. At the fifth watch, he would instruct a young attendant to strike the coffin and sing: 'Old Master Wu Xin, return home! / In the triple world there is no home, one cannot stay. / In the Pure Land of the West, there is the lotus womb. / Return home!' Upon hearing the chant, he would arise to meditate and recite. When Chancellor Qin Hui died, Wu was summoned to become Vice Minister of Rites. Later, having been summoned to the post of Postal Relay Inspector of Xiaoshan, he instructed his family to listen quietly, and from the sky came the sound of heavenly music. He said at once: 'Through a loss of mindfulness in the pure realm, I came here. Now that the golden dais has arrived, I must depart.' Having finished speaking, he passed away.

28.38

Qian Xiangzu of Tiantai styled himself Zhi'an (Dwelling in Stillness). When he governed Jinling, he inquired into the Dao from Quan Wuyong of Baoning, keeping especially the genuine practice of the Pure Land in mind. He once established ten guest-reception hospices in his home prefecture, all named after Pure Land, Ultimate Bliss, and the like. He also founded the Zhi'an Eminent Monks' Quarters as a place to host monks and discuss the Dao. From the time he resigned from the office of Left Chancellor and returned home, he advanced all the more in pure karma. In the second month of the fourth year of Jiading, suffering a slight illness, he wrote a verse: 'The lotus fragrance comes from the Buddha's realm; / On the lapis-lazuli ground, not a speck of dust remains. / My mind is pure, surpassing even that; / Today I know from afar that a single flower has bloomed.' Three days later, a monk came to inquire after his illness; Qian said: 'I do not crave life, nor do I fear death; I will not be born in the heavens, nor will I become a human being; I seek only to be born in the Pure Land.' Having finished speaking, he sat cross-legged and passed away. At that time, heavenly drums boomed, and an exquisite fragrance filled the air. Before his death, his nephews and fellow townspeople shared the same dream: in the sky someone said that Chancellor Qian was destined to be born into the lotus palace of the West as the Bodhisattva Ciji (Compassionate Aid). / Wang Zhonghui was a native of Wuwei who served as Administrative Assistant for Works. Because Yang Jie had explained to him the Dharma of the Pure Land, his recitation of the Buddha's name advanced all the more. Seven days before his death, he took leave of old friends in advance, then sat upright and passed away. At that time, Yang Jie was governing Danyang and dreamt that Zhonghui came to thank him, saying: 'Previously I received your guidance; now I have attained rebirth.' He bowed twice and departed. Shortly after, the death announcement arrived.

28.39

Yu Shen was a native of Xinye. Eating vegetarian food and wearing coarse cloth, he did not pursue commercial wealth. In his youth he had been friendly with Emperor Wu of the Liang; when summoned by imperial edict to serve as Cavalier Regular Attendant (Huangmen Shilang), he did not accept. Inside his residence, he established a sanctuary where he performed repentance and recited the Lotus Sūtra throughout the six periods of the day. Suddenly, in the latter half of the night, he saw a man of the Dao calling himself Master Yuan (Vow), of exceedingly wondrous deportment. He addressed Yu Shen as 'Master Shangxing (Superior Practice)', bestowed incense on him, and departed. Later, while lying ill, Yu Shen woke with a start and said: 'Master Yuan has come again; I cannot stay long.' The entire household heard a voice from the sky calling: 'Master Shangxing has already been born in the Pure Land of Amitābha.' By imperial edict, he was posthumously conferred the title of Retired Scholar Zhenjie (Pure and Upright).

28.40

Wang Rixiu was a native of Longshu. He became a Metropolitan Graduate of the National University and composed several hundred thousand words of commentary and instruction on the Six Classics. One day, he cast them aside, saying: 'These are all karmic habits, not the ultimate Dharma. I shall return to the Western Paradise.' Thereupon, wearing coarse hemp and eating vegetarian food, he recollected solely the Buddha. His daily task was a thousand prostrations, sleeping only at midnight. He once composed the Jingtu wen (Treatise on the Pure Land) in ten fascicles, which was simple and clear; none who read it failed to believe and submit. One evening, he recited the Buddha's name in a loud voice. After a long while, he suddenly said: 'The Buddha has come to receive me!' Standing firm and upright, he passed away. People of his district dreamt of two green-clad youths leading him away to the west.

28.41

Fang Zhu died suddenly and entered the underworld. The King [of the Underworld] said: 'According to the register of good deeds, you once exhorted an old man to recite the Buddha's name, and he has already attained rebirth in the Pure Land. Riding upon this merit, you too should attain rebirth.' Fang Zhu said: 'I still wish to recite ten thousand rolls of the Diamond Sūtra.' Thereupon he was released and returned. Later, he finally fulfilled his vow. Approaching the end, there were wondrous signs, which did not fail the earlier report.

28.42

Sun Bian was a native of Wulin, styled Retired Scholar Wuzheng (Non-Contention; his mother, Madame Gong, has a separate biography). In his youth he studied the Yijing (Book of Changes) and remarked: 'The Book of Changes is that by which one exhausts principle and fully explores nature; why should one bother with the trivial pursuit of advancement?' He shut his gates, obscured his traces, and lived detached from secular affairs. The śramaṇa Shouning befriended him and said to him: 'Bai Letian used Confucianism to cultivate his person, and Buddhism to regulate his nature. Have you heard of this?' Bian resonated deeply with the monk's words. Daily he read the Avataṃsaka, the Diamond, and the Amitābha Sūtras. He once dreamt of arriving at a lotus pond and standing at its side together with Vinaya Master Heng of Qingzhao. He also dreamt of a person holding a text written in Sanskrit golden characters, which he read but could not understand. The person said: 'It is merely inviting you to a vegetarian feast on the thirteenth day.' On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, he suddenly fell ill. His relatives wished to invite Vinaya Master Miaoguang to pray for him, but Bian said: 'Life and death are already determined; why bother to pray?' Thereupon he expounded to them the principle of rebirth in the Pure Land. He then sat cross-legged, made a mudrā, and passed away sitting facing west. The next day, Qingzhao arrived to place him in his coffin and returned to his hermitage. Three days later, Qingzhao also passed away while sitting, fulfilling the prophecy of their standing together by the lotus pond.

28.43

Wang Tian was a native of Cixi in Siming, styled Master Wugong (No Effort). In all matters, he thoroughly comprehended the central tenets of Chan and the Tiantai doctrinal gates. He composed the Jingtu zixin lu (Record of Confidence in the Pure Land) to elucidate the principle of the three bodies and four lands. In his later years, he concentrated his mind on recollecting the Buddha; facing west, he sat cross-legged and passed away. A wondrous fragrance filled the room. When his coffin was cremated, they retrieved one hundred and eight relics resembling beans.

28.44

Sun Zhong was a native of Siming. Eating vegetarian food and upholding the precepts, he early on longed for the Western Paradise. To the east of the commandery seat, he built a hermitage, excavated two ponds, and planted white lotuses. Overlooking the pond, he constructed a pavilion. Monthly, he gathered clergy and laity to recite the Buddha's name, with three days as the period. Later, while ill, he invited a hundred clerics and laypeople to recite with him. Suddenly, he looked up into empty space, joined his palms in greeting, formed double mudrās with his hands, and passed away joyfully. The entire city heard heavenly music and an exquisite fragrance that gradually vanished toward the west. His two sons successively recited the Buddha's name and passed away sitting. He had once, through recollecting the Buddha, seen the Buddha's body manifest in the sky; he immediately addressed the Buddha, saying: 'I only pray that my Buddha will pause for a short while, so that my two sons may also gaze upon and pay homage to You.' He ran outside, found his two sons, and returned; the Buddha paused and stood there for quite some time. Later generations therefore named that place 'Buddha-Pausing Lane' (his other deeds appear in the Jiu Fahua zhuan).

28.45

Jiu Dingguo styled himself Xingzhai. He served as Prefecture Academic Instructor. He frequently recollected the Buddha and read the various Pure Land sūtras, forming a Society for Returning to the West to exhort people. At the beginning of the Jiatai era, he built a Pure Land Cloister at Huiguang on the Xiaojiang, erecting a stone pagoda in the center of the pond as a place for villagers to cremate and store their bones. He printed and distributed diagrams of Buddha recollection. On the second and eighth of each month, he assembled clergy and laity to go to the Pure Land Cloister, chanting the Guan jing and reciting the Buddha's name as a regular practice. In the fourth year of Jiading, he dreamt of a green-clad youth who told him: 'The Buddha has ordered me to summon you; in three days you shall be born in that land.' When the day arrived, he bathed, changed his clothes, sat upright, recited the Buddha's name, and passed away.

28.46

Lou Fen came from the prestigious Zhoujin family of Siming. Because his elder brother Baozhou investigated and understood Buddhist principles and frequently discussed the Dao with śramaṇas, Lou Fen was always at his side listening with delight. At the age of twenty-two, he suddenly fell ill; he then directed his mind single-mindedly toward returning to the West. He told his parents: 'If only one can be born in the Pure Land and see the Buddha, this path is supreme.' He asked them to invite monks to expound the Dharma, provide guidance, chant the Guan jing, and set up a painted scroll of the Buddha facing his bed. Joyfully, he said: 'Truly my teacher!' Again he asked the monks to recite the Buddha's name a thousand times, and then said: 'I am already in the Western Paradise.' Thereupon, closing his eyes and facing west, he recited the Buddha's name and passed away.

28.47

Biographies of Commoners Reborn [in the Pure Land]

28.48

Song Man was a native of Hengzhou during the Sui dynasty. He kept count of his Buddha-recitations using small beans until they filled thirty piculs. He then arranged a vegetarian feast for celebration and praise. The Buddha and the two Great Beings manifested as three monks and came to the gathering to beg for food. Song Man said: 'Your disciple vows to be born in the Western Paradise; that the Masters have come to attend this meal deeply accords with my original aspiration.' When the affair was concluded, he saw heavenly flowers and exquisite fragrance traveling through empty space. Not long after, Song Man sat facing west and passed away.

28.49

Gao Haoxiang was a native of Dongping. Shutting his gates, he sat quietly and recited exclusively the Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra (Wuliangshou jing). In contemplation, red lotuses floated on a jade pond; at first he did not see the Buddha, so upon the flower he devoted his heart to paying deep reverence. Looking afar, he saw the Buddha's golden countenance shining brightly, its radiance reflecting into the distance. One evening, he saw an assembly of bodhisattvas coming to welcome him, and he suddenly passed away.

28.50

An old man of Fenyang in Bingzhou borrowed a room at Mount Faren to lodge. While recollecting the Buddha, a great light suddenly illuminated everything around. People saw him mount a lotus dais and depart.

28.51

Zheng Muqing was a native of Xingyang. His entire family recited the Buddha's name. During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang, he fell critically ill. Someone urged him to eat fish and meat, but he resolutely refused. Holding an incense burner in his hands, he prayed and vowed to be reborn [in the Pure Land]. Suddenly, an exquisite fragrance gathered and filled the room, and he quietly passed away. His maternal uncle, Minister of the Right Su Ting, dreamt that the lotuses of the precious pond blossomed, with Muqing seated upon one of them.

28.52

Zhang Yuanxiang was a native of Chang'an who constantly recited the Buddha's name without stopping. One day he urged his family, saying, 'The holy beings of the West are waiting for me to finish my midday meal so we may go to the Pure Land together.' When he finished, he indeed asked for incense and fire, sat cross-legged facing west, and was transformed.

28.53

Li Zhiyao was a native of Chang'an who led an assembly in practicing the Five-Tone Buddha-Mindfulness. (During the Dali era of the Tang, Master Fazhao inaugurated the Five-Tone Buddha-Mindfulness in Hengzhou. Now Li Zhiyao practiced the Five-Tone mindfulness; this must have been modeled on Zhao. As for 'five assemblies' [or tones], it probably means holding one assembly every five days.) He suddenly stepped out of the hall, bowed toward the sky, and a voice from the sky said: 'I announce to you, Li Zhiyao: your meritorious work is fulfilled, and its fruit is brought forth by yourself. Leading you toward the Pure Land, we ascend with you the golden bridge.' He immediately went to his couch, sat upright, and was transformed. Heavenly incense was richly fragrant.

28.54

Yuan Ziping relied on Guanyin Monastery in Jingkou to recite the Buddha's name and chant sūtras. Suddenly hearing heavenly music in the sky, he immediately sat facing west and was transformed. A marvelous fragrance did not cease for several days.

28.55

Zuo Shen was a native of Tiantai. He received the bodhisattva precepts from Shenzhao, carved statues of the Three Sages, chanted the Lotus Sūtra 3,400 times, and the Diamond Sūtra 20,000 times. Later he fell ill in bed and ordered his son, the śramaṇa Jingyuan, to chant the title of the Lotus Sūtra and re-administer the bodhisattva precepts. He dreamed of three tall men standing on a riverbank calling Shen to board a boat. He again invited monks to chant the Amitābha Sūtra, and suddenly said, 'I have already seen the Buddha's light.' He then sat upright, formed a mudrā, and passed away.

28.56

Fan Yan lived in Wulin. He read the Lotus Sūtra and recited the name of Amitābha Buddha every day without interruption. Suddenly he saw Bodhisattva Samantabhadra come to announce that he was due to be born in the Pure Land. After one night, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas came to welcome him. His family heard him humbly decline, saying, 'Who is Yan that I should truly deserve this?' Taking his seat and joining his palms, he was transformed.

28.57

Sun Liang lived in Qiantang. Living in seclusion, he read the Great Canon, having an especially deep grasp of the purports of the Avataṃsaka. He once relied on Vinaya Master Dazhi to receive the bodhisattva precepts, and daily made an assignment of ten thousand recitations of the Buddha's name, not stopping for twenty years. Suddenly he told his family to invite monks to recite the Buddha's name to assist his rebirth. After only half a day, he gazed toward the sky, joined his palms, and said, 'The Bhagavat and bodhisattvas have already deigned to descend.' He then withdrew to his seat and was transformed.

28.58

Yao Yue lived in Xiantan, Zhachuan. He immersed his mind in the internal scriptures. Whenever a monk came to visit, he would always defer to the host's position, saying that a layperson should not take precedence over a monk. Master You of Juehai urged the villagers to form a Pure Karma Society, and Yue actually directed its affairs. He suddenly told You, 'I have long grown weary of this fleeting life, and in no time I will go to the west. Master, you may assist my focused mindfulness.' You then recited with him daily. One day he took his seat and was transformed. Soon after, he appeared in You's dream, saying, 'Yue has already been reborn; it was by the Master's aid.' You asked, 'May I roam with you?' Yue said, 'Master, your worldly lifespan is not yet exhausted. Jingyi of the monastery will surely arrive first.' When a month had passed, [Jingyi] indeed passed away; Yi was an associate in the same society.

28.59

Mei Fu was a native of Songjiang. He chanted sūtras, kept the precepts, and focused his mindfulness on the Pure Land. Knowing beforehand the time of his end, he cut off food, drank only water, and recited the name of Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta. On the seventh day, he bathed, changed his clothes, sat upright, and told the assembly, 'Bodhisattva Mahāsthāmaprāpta has now come to welcome me.' He was then transformed upon his seat.

28.60

Hu Hao lived in Zhachuan. In ordinary times he performed many Buddhist services. Suddenly he dreamed that the Buddha called to him, saying, 'You may build a house to welcome me.' Hao then went to Mingyin and built an Amitābha Pavilion to accord with this dream. On the evening of his death, he suddenly said, 'The Buddha is emitting light that shines upon me.' Having spoken these words, he was transformed.

28.61

Tang Shiliang was a native of Kuaiji. He maintained the precepts, ate vegetarian food, recited the Buddha's name, and made prostrations. When old and ill, he still would not take to his pillow. He chanted the Amitābha Sūtra 100,000 times. He told his family, 'The Buddha has come to receive me.' Having spoken, he made prostrations and immediately passed away while sitting. He wished to bid farewell to the practitioner Li, who at that time was at Mount Daowei. At night [Li] dreamed of marvelous light, banners, flowers, and heavenly music from the west, and a voice in the sky said, 'Tang Shiliang has already returned to the Pure Land.'

28.62

Lu Wei was a native of Qiantang and served as a prefectural secretary. In middle age, weary of the world, he recited the Buddha's name and led an assembly to establish two societies, the Lotus and Avataṃsaka, each with about a hundred people. Their rule was that each person at home would chant one fascicle of sūtra, and at the end of the day gather at a monastery to read and chant, dispersing after spending the whole day. Like this for twenty years, it became a great assembly. He once hand-copied sūtras such as the Lotus, Avataṃsaka, Śūraṅgama, Perfect Enlightenment, Diamond, and Suvarṇaprabhāsa. In his late years, his children and grandchildren having passed away, he had no further burdens. Suddenly one day he changed his clothes, sat upright, recited the Buddha's name, and was transformed.

28.63

Li Yantong lived in Kuaiji and was an ironworker. Because of a Kaiyuan mindfulness assembly, he went to participate in it. He suddenly realized the world is impermanent and dedicated his mind to pure karma. One morning he fell ill and abruptly said, 'I have traveled to the Pure Land and seen two gates locked very firmly. While I hesitated, I saw the practitioner Li open the gates and lead me in, where I saw lotus ponds, towers, pavilions, and the assemblies of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.' He then invited the two practitioners Xijing and Daoguo to come before his couch to expound the Dharma and urge him on the path. The entire household recited the Buddha's name, and he passed away sitting and facing west.

28.64

Lu Jun lived in Qiantang. In his youth he served in government offices, but abandoned it after a long time to make the Pure Land his vocation. He participated in the West Lake Mindfulness Society. Whenever he repented before the Buddha, he would inevitably weep. When fellow practitioners met and spoke of the causes and conditions of pure karma, after barely ten-odd sentences he would choke with tears and sigh, fearing only that he would not be saved in this life, that samādhi would not be accomplished, that rebirth would not be granted, and that he would not see our Buddha. Coming down with illness near his end, he invited Vinaya Master Yuanjing to expound the Pure Land Dharma gate and recite the Contemplation Sūtra up to the highest grade. Jing said to him, 'Now is a good time to go.' Jun said, 'The multitude of sages has not yet assembled; wait a little while.' He then got up, went to a bamboo couch, sat upright facing west, and in a moment was transformed.

28.65

Feng Min was a native of Shangyu. In his youth he engaged in hunting. There was a giant serpent harming the villagers, so Min took a spear and went after it. He saw the serpent beneath a cliff locked in confrontation with a yellow bull. Min pushed a giant rock down upon it, and the serpent ultimately died. Later, whenever he thought of this, he worried that the serpent would become an enemy seeking retribution. He therefore sought the Buddha to resolve it, turning his aspiration toward the West to cultivate repentance and recite the Buddha's name. Thus it went for ten years. One evening he invited his fellow members of the society to assist in reciting the Amitābha Sūtra and calling upon the Buddha's name, and next chanted Samantabhadra's verses for repenting sins and verses of aspiration for rebirth. He then sat upright with palms joined and passed away.

28.66

Blacksmith Huang of Tanzhou, whenever working, constantly recited the Buddha's name without ceasing. One day, without illness, he asked a neighbor to write a verse: 'Day and night, ding-ding dang-dang, / Refined for so long, it has become steel. / Great peace is drawing near; / I am going to the West.' He was then transformed upon his seat.

28.67

Old Ji was an ironworker from Taoyuan in Siming. Approaching seventy years of age, he lost the sight in both eyes. The village instructor Zan printed and distributed grid-charts to urge people to recite the Buddha's name. Old Ji at first received one chart and completed 360,000 recitations; when he reached four charts, both eyes became clear. Thus for three years, he completed seventeen charts. One day, while reciting the Buddha's name, his breath suddenly stopped. After half a day he revived, saying, 'I saw the Buddhas and bodhisattvas instruct me to give six charts to Instructor Zan, as he is the leader of the exhortations; and to give one chart to Old Li the Second, as he is the distributor of the charts.' He charged his son to go and thank the Instructor. When he finished speaking, he bathed, sat facing west, and passed away.

28.68

Old Xu the Sixth was a peasant from Jiaxing. Husband and wife ate vegetarian food, set up images, and focused their mindfulness. Thus for forty years, he repeatedly dreamed of roaming the Pure Land. He prepared a niche beforehand. On the day of his departure, he changed into hemp clothes and straw sandals, entered the niche, and sat upright. In a moment he said, 'The Buddha has come to welcome me,' and peacefully was transformed.

28.69

Shen Sanlang lived in Lin'an and was a merchant by trade. In his late years he turned his mind to reciting the Buddha's name. One day, falling ill, he invited monks to lecture on the Amitābha Sūtra, set up a revered image, and looked west day and night. Suddenly he changed his clothes and passed away. In an instant, he bent his knees, wishing to sit up. His two sons, finding it difficult to fit him into the niche, pulled his shins to straighten them. After half a day, when they were about to encoffin him, he suddenly raised his hand from the silk quilt, startled upright, and sat up. The whole household fled in alarm. His two sons rushed forward to support him; fearing that his sons would pull his shins, he struck them with his elbows. His sons said, 'We only want to help our father sit and be released!' At his cremation, there were twenty-nine white cranes soaring above the clouds, which after a long time flew west.

28.70

Biographies of Women Reborn [in the Pure Land]

28.71

The Empress of Emperor Wen of the Sui revered the Mahāyāna in her heart and constantly maintained the Buddha's name. On the night of her end, a marvelous fragrance filled the palace. At that time the nun Daming was the Empress's dearest companion. Whenever [Daming] recited the Buddha's name, she would first put on clean clothes and hold aloeswood in her mouth. Suddenly everyone smelled the fragrance of aloeswood filling the room extraordinarily. Soon there was radiant light like clouds coming to welcome her, moving toward the west.

28.72

Lady Wang, wife of the Prince of Jing, during the Yuanyou era served the Western direction with great devotion. Only one concubine was lax and indolent, and the Lady was about to banish her. The concubine, filled with sorrow and remorse, exerted utmost diligence. One evening, a marvelous fragrance filled the room, and she passed away without illness. The Lady suddenly dreamed that the concubine greeted her to express gratitude: 'Because of the Lady's admonition, I have now attained rebirth.' The Lady asked, 'May one go to the West?' The concubine said, 'Just follow me.' The Lady followed her and saw two ponds, both with white lotus flowers, some blooming and some withered. The concubine said, 'These are all people in the world who aroused the aspiration to cultivate for the West. The moment a single thought arises in the human realm, a flower blooms in the pond; according to their diligence or indolence, the blooming and withering differ. Among them is a flower on which someone in court dress sits; his clothes flutter, dissolving with the wind, and one then sees jewel crowns and necklaces adorning his body.' The concubine said, 'This is Yang Jie.' There was another flower with someone in court dress sitting on it, but the flower was slightly withered; she said, 'This is Ma Yu.' Guiding her forward several miles more, she looked toward a golden altar whose brilliance was completely translucent. The concubine said, 'This is where the Lady will be reborn by transformation, in the highest grade of the highest rebirth.' Later, when she slowly made inquiries, Yang Jie had already died, while Ma Yu was unharmed. Afterward, on her birthday, the Lady held a censer, burned incense, stood in the Guanyin Pavilion, and was transformed. (Prince Ji of Jing was a son of Huizong.)

28.73

The District Mistress née Wu was the wife of Director of Bureaus Lü Hong. Because an extraordinary monk urged him, Hong had an exquisite awakening to Buddhist principles. Lady Wu read the Diamond Sūtra verses and also accorded with emptiness and quiescence. Husband and wife observed fasts and precepts for forty years. Lady Wu suddenly saw three pairs of giant footprints, all of golden lotus flowers. After several days she also saw their knees, after several more days their bodies, and after several days their faces—namely, the three holy beings of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. She also saw palace towers and pure realms. When men asked her, 'How does the Buddha preach the Dharma there?' she replied, 'I have attained the eye-penetration, but have not yet attained the divine ear.' Thus it went for three years. One evening, slightly indisposed, she said of herself, 'I am about to return to the West.' Having spoken, she passed away. She once served Guanyin, arranging several tens of jars and pots filled with water; holding a willow branch and chanting dhāraṇī, she always saw Guanyin emit light that poured into the vessels. When sick people drank it, they were always cured. The world consequently called her the 'Guanyin District Mistress.'

28.74

The District Mistress née Cai lived in Wulin. Widowed in her early years, she held sūtras and recited the Buddha's name, bowing to images every morning for over twenty years. Suddenly seeing golden lotus flowers appear in the sky, she hastily asked for her usual daily practice schedule, rolled it up and held it in her bosom, sat peacefully, and passed away.

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佛祖統紀 — 志磐, Classical Chinese