佛祖統紀 48.7

48.7

In the fourth year of Jiading, in the leap second month, Grand Councilor Qian Xiangzu passed away at his village residence in Tiantai. When Xiangzu governed Jinling, he had asked about the Way from Quan Wuyong of Baoning. Later, in his native prefecture, he built ten reception cloisters, all named after the Pure Land and Sukhāvatī. He established the Zhi Hermitage and quarters for eminent monks as places to discourse on the Way. After resigning as Senior Grand Councilor and returning home, he cultivated pure karma all the more diligently. In this month, he contracted a slight illness. When a monk inquired about his condition, he replied: 'I do not crave life, nor do I fear death; I will not be reborn in heaven, nor among humans. I shall only be reborn in the Pure Land.' Having spoken, he sat cross-legged and passed away. At that time, celestial drums resounded and a wondrous fragrance wafted intensely. Before he expired, the men and women of the commandery simultaneously dreamed of a voice in the sky saying: 'Grand Councilor Qian is to be reborn in the lotus palace of the West as the Bodhisattva Ciji (Compassionate Succour).'