淨土往生傳 1.24

1.24

Shi Huiming, secular surname Guo, was born in Changsha of Xiangzhou in the second year of the Datong era of the Liang dynasty. After leaving secular life, those with discernment found him extraordinary, considering that the one who would ultimately enter the Tathāgata's room was Huiming. At the age of fifteen, he recited the Lotus Sūtra; in barely seven days, he had completed the entire text. His recitation of other texts was similar. After his tonsure, he had no single teacher. Hearing that Chan Master Enguang was renowned for his virtue, he devoted himself to him and received instruction; in less than three years, he broadly penetrated the essentials of Chan. He was also on the closest of terms with Chan Master [Hui]si of Nanyue, and once said to Si: "You and I planted the cause of pure karma and bound ourselves together from afar, with our goal set firmly on the Western direction." Si said: "How could I dare forget such humble devotion? My only wish is that the flies are not brushed away from the tail of the dragon-steed." Later, he traveled to Mount Xiancheng. On the mountain was a Daoist named Meng Shou, who had lived in seclusion for many years, praying in his heart to return to the correct path, and wishing to turn his dwelling into a Buddhist monastery. Soon after, Shou dreamed of hundreds of men clad in golden armor standing in strict guard beside his dwelling, issuing orders and alerts as if awaiting someone. Shou said: "Could an extraordinary person be arriving? Otherwise, why would my dream foresee it?" The next day, Huiming arrived. Thereupon, Shou developed deep faith and relinquished his dwelling. Soon after, Huiming said: "The initial construction of a monastery still requires burdensome management. Should I abandon Chan contemplation to burden my mind with this?" He then returned with his disciples to his former grove in Changsha. At that time, Chan Master Fayin was from the same commandery; originally surnamed Wang, he had also formed a Pure Land friendship with Huiming. In their later years, their intimacy grew even closer. One night, Huiming took Fayin's hand, and under the moon they looked at each other and smiled, Huiming saying: "When the time comes and one does not go, it is called clinging to life; when one can depart and does not depart, it is called illicit desire—enough! I shall depart." Yin said: "Out of our friendship, can you not wait ten days for me?" Huiming held up two fingers and replied: "Beyond this, it cannot be reached." The next morning Huiming indeed fell ill, and on the following day he passed away. The day of his death was the fifth day of the tenth month in the third year of the Tianhe era of the Zhou dynasty. On that day, the assembly saw devas descending with banners following them; some heard voices in the rooms chanting 'Sadhu!', and they smelled extraordinary incense and heard wondrous music that did not dissipate for days. Ten days later, Fayin also passed away, and the auspicious signs that appeared were quite similar.