弘贊法華傳 6.36

6.36

梁太清四年。湘東王。號為承聖。遣大尉王僧辯。征侯景。次南陵。僧辯。遣憑法慧。至江北督軍資。法慧暴亡。經五日便穌。說云。至閻羅王所。階下見一僧。王先喚僧。上問。生時何業。答云。誦法華經。王遣人取高座。座至精妙。僧升座。誦得四紙許。王起到座前。頂禮三拜。遣人送之上生天道。

In the fourth year of the Taiqing era of the Liang, the Prince of Xiangdong, who took the reign title Chengsheng, sent Grand Defender Wang Sengbian to subjugate Hou Jing, encamping at Nanling. Sengbian dispatched Feng Fahui to Jiangbei to supervise military provisions. Fahui died suddenly, but revived after five days. He recounted that he went to the dwelling of King Yama, where he saw a monk below the steps. The king first summoned the monk, and having him step forward, asked, "What practice did you cultivate in life?" He answered, "I recited the Lotus Sūtra." The king ordered his attendants to bring a high seat, which was exceedingly exquisite and wondrous. The monk ascended the seat and recited about four sheets [of text]. The king rose, came before the seat, bowed his head to the ground in homage three times, and dispatched attendants to escort him to be reborn in the heavenly realm.