法華傳記 3.26

3.26

釋志遠。俗姓宋氏江南人也。早喪其父。孤養於母。承順顏色。朝夕無違。天性聰利。穎悟法華。生年十八。啟母出家。從師受業。事師之禮服勞無替。業講法華經。演天台圓頓。發願云。我所解不違佛意。將天地感動。應時雨華。動地如雷如震。勤行精進二十有年。教教不廢講肆。臨終之時。謂弟子曰。二十五聖眾來迎。往生淨土。

Shi Zhiyuan was of the secular surname Song, a native of Jiangnan. He lost his father early, and was raised solely by his mother. He complied with her wishes and obeyed her expressions day and night without transgression. By nature intelligent and perceptive, he intuitively grasped the Lotus. At the age of eighteen, he asked his mother for permission to leave home. He received instruction from a master, serving him with filial respect and unflagging labor. His practice was lecturing on the Lotus Sūtra, expounding the Tiantai perfect and sudden teaching. He made a vow, saying: "If my understanding does not contravene the Buddha's intention, may heaven and earth be moved!" Immediately, flowers rained down, and the earth shook like thunder. He practiced with diligent vigor for over twenty years, never abandoning his lecture hall. At the time of his death, he said to his disciples: "The twenty-five holy beings have arrived to welcome me; I am going to be reborn in the Pure Land."