法華傳記 6.26

6.26

Śramaṇa Qinghui was a disciple of Qingling of Huiyi Monastery in Zizhou. Following his master, he went to Mount Sanzong, north of Lingyan Monastery in Qizhou, and dwelt there for many years. After his master departed, Qinghui also made a vow to chant and recite the Lotus Sūtra for the sake of the sentient beings suffering in the three evil paths, his prayer stating: "All sentient beings are our parents throughout transmigration; entering darkness from darkness, they do not recognize each other's kindness. I pray that through the power of chanting this sūtra, they may swiftly leave suffering, eternally attain liberation, and roam through the Buddha lands." Thus from the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the first year of Chang'an to the first month of the first year of Shenlong, he chanted with single-minded devotion for five years, his resolve never wavering. Yet having received no sympathetic resonance, he wept and lamented, saying: "The Great Master Qingling made a deep vow to uphold the Diamond Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra for the sake of suffering beings in the three paths, and within three weeks he swiftly received a sympathetic resonance. Now I have practiced with single-minded sincerity for five years without any sign. I regret that I am not the right person, and though pondering the Causes and Conditions of the One Great Matter, I have failed to attain even the slightest sign of the Supreme Vehicle." Tears of blood ran down his face as he sorrowfully repented and apologized. At mid-morning on the fifteenth day of the first month in the first year of Shenlong, suddenly, as if in a dream, he saw a great city about five or six li square, adornments extraordinarily magnificent, with jeweled banners and pennants hung in rows. Within it sat one holding a white fly-whisk in his right hand, wearing a jade crown on a golden throne, who called himself a king. There were also two empty silver thrones. As Hui was about to enter the city, a heavenly youth accompanied him. Seeing Hui and the youth, the king descended from his seat with great reverence, inviting him to sit on the golden throne. Hui ascended the jeweled throne, while the youth sat on the silver throne. Kneeling with his right knee on the ground, the king addressed him: "Venerable Master, you chant the Lotus Sūtra for the suffering sentient beings in the three paths, which accords greatly with the Buddha's intention. However, when your late master chanted the Diamond Sūtra for the suffering beings in the three paths, he released a few whose offenses were light. Now, as he is no longer present, over the past five years suffering sentient beings have fallen and gathered here; regardless of whether their sins were light or heavy, they have all been released for your sake, Master. Go together with the youth to see the places of suffering." The youth then rose from his seat, led Hui by the hand, and gradually entered the city walls, where there was not a single person. Hui asked, "Why is there no one here?" The youth answered, "In accordance with the Master's recitation vows, all have been born in heaven. Do you see the one person suffering within? This is the upāsaka Yao Tong, who spoke slander against the Venerable Master's vows." Hui said, "Even one who slanders can attain non-retrogression; how could he be left behind and not born in heaven?" Immediately upon his words, the man vanished. Hui then returned to the king's place and reported the matter. Awakening, he recounted these causes and conditions himself. The merit of chanting the scriptures to save both oneself and others was simply like this.