弘贊法華傳 6.27

6.27

釋通子。不知何許人。少出家。住齊寧寺。素與建初寺忍法師友善。聽靈耀義。甚有思工。誦法華經一部。不持細行。京師疫疾。染患臨終。忍師往看。謂曰。受生之處。願相報知。通曰。從來常慨此事。今冥因善惡。決當相報云。後得二年。了無報應。至三年正朝。忍往其緣家。家人併皆山屈。忍住家中守屋。忍凴案。恍忽之間。見通公來。謂曰。近臨終有契。久欲相報。事緣不展。今故白知。吾今作太山小吏。亦無大苦。忍曰。公平生誦經聽講。是德業人。那止得此報。答曰。我賴得此耳。若無是者。豈得如今。言訖而去。忍因精苦。更逾常日。

Śramaṇa Tongzi was a man of unknown origin. He went forth from the household in his youth and lived in Qining Temple. He was always on friendly terms with Dharma Master Ren of Jianchu Temple. He listened to the doctrinal expositions of Lingyao, displaying deep analytical skill. He recited the entire Lotus Sūtra, but did not observe minor rules of conduct. When an epidemic struck the capital, he became infected and was on the verge of death. Master Ren went to visit him and said, 'Wherever you take rebirth, please let me know.' Tong said, 'I have always lamented this matter; now, according to the unseen causes of good and evil, I shall certainly report back to you.' Two years passed with no report whatever. On the New Year's Day of the third year, Ren went to visit Tong's lay family, whose members had all gone away into the hills; Ren remained in the house to watch over it. As Ren leaned against a table, in a state of daze, he saw Master Tong arrive and say to him, 'Recently, when death was near, we made a pact; I have long wished to report back to you, but circumstances did not permit. Today I come specially to let you know. I am now serving as a minor clerk at Mount Tai, and suffer no great misery.' Ren said, 'Throughout your life, sir, you recited the sūtras and listened to lectures, being a person of virtuous deeds; how is it that you only received this retribution?' Tong answered, 'It was solely due to those deeds that I obtained even this! Had I not had them, how could I have achieved what I am now?' Having finished speaking, he departed. Thereupon Ren practiced with ascetic diligence that surpassed ordinary days.