淨土往生傳 1.10

1.10

Shi Sengji: it is not clear where he was from, nor is it known under whom he shaved his head and took as master. During the Jin'an era, he once entered Mount Lu to inquire about the Path from Master Huiyuan. In both internal [Buddhist] and external [secular] classics and texts, he penetrated the profound essentials. Huiyuan often said to him: "To continue and glorify the Great Dharma with me—are you not the one?" Because of his keen and awakened understanding, Ji was praised by Huiyuan; whenever he lectured and debated, the people of the time mostly admired and yielded to him. When he became ill and bedridden, sinking into weakness, he wished to rise but could not do so for three days. Huiyuan sent him a candle and gave it to him, saying: "You may rely on this to establish your mind on Anyang." Ji received his intention, grasped the candle, and stilled his thoughts; he also invited the monks to chant the Contemplation Sūtra in the evening. As the water clock ran down and the stars turned, nearly at the fifth watch, Ji handed the candle he held to his disciple Yuanbi, to carry it among the monks. Shortly thereafter, he felt himself holding a candle and walking through empty space; he was received by Amitābha Buddha and placed upon his palm, traveling throughout the ten directions to serve all the buddhas. In a short while, when he awoke, he fully related this to Bi and the others. Soon he rejoiced and said: "By one night of contemplative mindfulness, I have received the Buddha's reception and guidance. The Buddha's great compassion arrives together with mindfulness!" By the next evening, he again saw transformed buddhas and transformed bodhisattvas gathering in the sky, appearing and disappearing. He said again to Bi: "The transformed buddhas have come; I shall depart!" Thereupon, turning his gaze to the west, with a single breath he passed away. For more than three months after his passing, during the blazing summer heat, his flesh did not decay.