佛祖統紀 36.68

36.68

In the sixth year, Liu Chengzhi earlier entered Mount Lu to rely on Master Huiyuan for the practice of reciting the Buddha's name. The Master said: 'Official rank and emolument are lofty and magnificent; why not pursue them?' Chengzhi replied: 'When ruler and subject suspect one another, how could I pursue them?' Residing in the mountains for fifteen years, he devoted his mind exclusively to reciting the Buddha's name. In the eighth month of this year, he saw Amitābha Buddha emit light and rub the crown of his head. Facing the image, he burned incense and prayed: 'By the bequeathed teaching of Śākyamuni, I learned of the Western Pure Land. May I hold this incense first to offer above to the World-Honoured One Śākyamuni; next, to offer to Amitābha Buddha, praying that he bestow his reception upon me; and third, to offer to the *Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra*, for my attainment of rebirth is due to upholding this scripture.' Having spoken, he lay on his bed facing west and passed away. Chengzhi possessed hidden virtue; Xie An and Liu Yu recommended him highly, but he resolutely declined without wavering. Thereupon he was honored as 'Yimin' (the Recluse). ○ Zhou Xuzhi understood the Five Classics and the five apocryphal texts in his youth; he was known at the time as the 'Ten-Classics Child'. High ministers repeatedly summoned him, but he accepted no post. He entered Mount Lu to participate in Master Huiyuan's society, wearing plain cloth and eating vegetarian food, never marrying throughout his life. The world called him 'Tongyin' (the Comprehending Recluse). ○ Lei Cizong entered the Lotus Society at Mount Lu and established a lodge beside Donglin. When Master Huiyuan died, he wrote a letter to his sons and nephews: 'I entrusted my endeavor to Mount Lu and served the Upādhyāya Śākya for twenty years. Now that the profound master has passed away and fine friends have also been lost, and since I am not yet decrepit with age, I can still exert my resolve to become a bridge to the four refuges. From now on, do not inform me of household affairs.'