佛祖統紀 28.69

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.