淨土往生傳 1.14

1.14

Shi Tanjian, whose lay surname was Zhao, was a native of Xiabo in Jizhou. From childhood he was weary of worldly life, and sought ordination under Zhu Daozu. In his studies he investigated the various sūtras and thoroughly mastered the treatises. Whenever there was a point in the treatises that he could not penetrate, he would say, “If a sage is not reborn, to whom shall I attach myself?” Later, hearing that Kumārajīva had entered the passes, he took up his staff and went to him, resolving the doubts in his mind and deducing the rest from a single corner. Upon Kumārajīva's passing, Jian said, “Unfortunately, Master Kumārajīva has departed this world, and I have nowhere to resolve my questions.” He then went to the mountain monastery of Jiangling. In his declining years, his conduct was exceptionally scrupulous. He constantly vowed to ascend to Anyang in person and behold Amitābha face to face; therefore, even the slightest speck of merit was entirely dedicated to this end. One day while in samādhi, he saw Amitābha Buddha holding a golden vase with both hands, who sprinkled water upon his face and said, “I wash away your defilements and purify your mental thoughts, causing both your body and speech to become utterly pure.” Thereupon, from the vase the Buddha drew forth a lotus flower and bestowed it upon him. Emerging from samādhi, Jian said to his disciple Huiyan, “You have the causal conditions of contemplation regarding the Pure Land; between me and you, nothing should be concealed.” He then recounted what he had seen. Nearly three days later, the disciple Daoji took his leave to travel to Shangming. Jian said, “If you disciples cannot ascend to Anyang and escape the Sahā world, rushing about between north and south, what will it ultimately amount to?” Then he added, “If you can heed my words, when you come another day I shall still be here; otherwise, your retribution will shift according to karma.” That evening, Jian recounted past days with the monastery monks, also revealing his intention of departing forever; none of the hearers could fathom it. Late into the night, the novice Sengyuan was attending at his side. Jian looked back and said, “The night is deep and the lamp-oil is spent; why are you still here?” Sengyuan withdrew. Jian then walked alone under the veranda reciting the name of Amitābha Buddha. As the fifth watch drew near, his voice grew even more impassioned. At dawn, when Yan and the others came to pay their customary respects, they saw Jian sitting cross-legged and speechless. Approaching to look, they found he had already passed away. Yan and the others did not cover him with a coffin; for fully thirty days his limbs remained supple and smooth, and a fragrance like that of lotuses emanated from within. At the same time, there were also Shi Daohai of Jiangling, Shi Tanhong of Huainan, Shi Daoguang of Dongyuan, and Shi Daoguang of Hongnong, who all directed their minds toward Anyang. When they departed this world, Guang and the others all stated that they witnessed with their own eyes golden daises, jeweled nets, and kalaviṅka and jīvaṃjīvaka birds appearing before them.