淨土往生傳 1.16

1.16

The nun Fasheng, whose secular surname was Nie, was a native of Qinghe in Bei Commandery. At the end of the Eastern Jin, she took refuge in Jinling. During the Yuanjia era of the Song dynasty, she first left the household at Jianfu Monastery. Her talent, intelligence, and insightful understanding were all completely endowed by nature. Fasheng, in the twilight of her years, had drifted to the imperial capital; simply because her fate chanced upon a reign of prosperity, her heart nevertheless constantly cherished her old homeland. She then said, 'When passion follows upon passion, how can thoughts not arise? Only by relying on the Buddha's path can they be eliminated.' Thereupon, following Dharma Master Yu of Daochang Monastery, she received the Bodhisattva Precepts. By day she would open and lay out the profound texts; by evening she would serene herself in the flavor of the principle. As the years gradually accumulated, her spirit grew lucid and rich. Though said to be in her declining years, she surpassed those in their prime. Constantly desiring to pull her steps out of the three realms and keep pace with the nine grades [of rebirth], she accordingly set out the sixteen contemplations and also depicted the eight ponds, so as to fix her thoughts upon them. On the twenty-seventh day of the ninth month of the sixteenth year, beneath the stupa of the monastery where she lived, she was paying homage to the image of Amitābha when toward evening she took ill, which gradually grew critical. As Fasheng was lightly asleep, she saw Amitābha Buddha and two bodhisattvas riding clouds of variegated blossoms, from which emanated precious light that shone down upon Fasheng. At this time, various nuns knocked on her door to inquire after her illness and saw that her room was overflowing with brilliant light; wondering at it, they questioned her. Fasheng said, 'Just now in my light sleep, I saw Amitābha Buddha and two bodhisattvas before me, and they shone light upon me again. Could it be that the Buddha in his compassion is delivering me?' As soon as she finished speaking, she expired. At that time, Zhang Bian of Wu Commandery, Grand Protector of Yuzhang, who had always revered her, composed a biography for her.