弘贊法華傳 6.28

6.28

Śramaṇa Huidu was a man of Wuxing. He studied under Vinaya Master Bian of Fengcheng Temple and thoroughly grasped the grand principles. He ate a vegetarian diet, kept a perpetual fast, and recited the Lotus Sūtra and the Vajracchedikā-prajñāpāramitā Sūtra. He suddenly fell ill and died abruptly, but revived after five days. He recounted himself that he saw King Yama wearing a far-reaching crown with robe and pendants like a contemporary ruler, and his retinue was likewise. At first his demeanor was gentle and elegant; then, as he judged sinners, he flew into a great fury, the appearance of his beard and face changing extraordinarily. He asked Du what karma he possessed. Du replied that he recited the Lotus Sūtra. The king rose in reverence and snapped his fingers. He asked further what other sūtras he recited, and Du replied, 'The Vajracchedikā-prajñāpāramitā.' The king became doubly awed and respectful. He ordered a golden seat brought forth and offered it to Du to sit upon, requesting him to recite it. When one recitation was completed, the king said, 'This merit is inconceivable. The Dharma Master's lifespan is not yet exhausted, and bolstered by the power of the sūtra, it shall be extended by two cycles (twenty-four years).' Later it indeed turned out that he lived for twenty-four more years. He died during the Tianjia era of Emperor Wen of the Chen, at the age of over seventy.