釋鑑稽古略續集 3.257

3.257

西方合論　中郎袁宏道撰。分敘十門。第一剎土門。二緣起門。三部類門。四教相門。五論理門。六稱性門。七往生門。八見網門。九修持門。十釋異門。中郎著述頗多。此論為往生之本。伊弟小修中道專修淨業。中郎先小修而卒。後小修卒時。見中郎來。謂已生淨土。今迎弟詣彼。小修詰曰。汝何以得生。曰吾以著合論之功。承此得生耳。小修兼問其他。中郎答言甚少。但武林虞淳熙。以著淨土詩而生也。

The *Xifang helun* (Combined Treatise on the Western [Pure Land]): Composed by Yuan Hongdao, [styled] Zhonglang. It is divided into ten sections: 1. Section on the Lands; 2. Section on Dependent Arising; 3. Section on Categories and Classes; 4. Section on Doctrinal Characteristics; 5. Section on the Discussion of Principle; 6. Section on Accordance with Nature; 7. Section on Rebirth; 8. Section on the Net of Views; 9. Section on Practice; 10. Section on Resolving Discrepancies. Zhonglang authored many writings, and this treatise is the root for attaining rebirth. His younger brother Xiaoxiu, Zhongdao, exclusively cultivated pure karma. Zhonglang died before Xiaoxiu. Later, when Xiaoxiu was dying, he saw Zhonglang arrive, telling him that he had already been born in the Pure Land and had now come to welcome his brother there. Xiaoxiu questioned him, "How were you able to attain rebirth?" He replied, "I was able to attain rebirth by relying on the merit of composing the *Helun*." Xiaoxiu also asked about other matters, but Zhonglang's replies were few, merely saying that Yu Chunxi of Wulin had attained rebirth on account of composing Pure Land poems.