佛祖統紀 28.21

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).