淨土往生傳 2.17

2.17

Shi Shandao's original surname is unknown, nor is it known where he was from. He traveled throughout the realm in search of the ford of the Way. During the Zhenguan era of the Tang, he met Dhyāna Master [Dao]chuo of Xihe, who was practicing the vaipulya repentance and the site for the nine grades of the Pure Land. Shandao rejoiced greatly and said, “This is truly the essential ford for entering buddhahood; I have found it!” Thereupon he applied himself with devoted zeal and rigorous hardship, as if putting out a fire on his head. Subsequently reaching the capital, he inspired the four classes of disciples without distinction of noble or lowly, and even those butchers and vintners were awakened by his urging. He once copied the Amitābha Sūtra several tens of thousands of times and distributed them as gifts for others to receive and uphold. Because of this, from the capital to the surrounding commanderies, those who chanted the scriptures and practiced buddhānusmṛti followed in his footsteps everywhere. Someone asked Shandao, “Does the good of buddhānusmṛti lead to rebirth in the Pure Land?” He replied, “According to what you recite, your wish will be fulfilled.” Having answered, Shandao himself recited the name of Amitābha Buddha. With each recitation, a beam of bright light issued from his mouth; whether ten or up to a hundred recitations, the light was likewise emitted. Shandao grew weary of this body's oppression by all manners of suffering, and of how human emotions and worldly deceits change without a moment's respite. He then climbed a willow tree in front of the monastery where he resided, faced west, and vowed, “I pray that the Buddha’s majestic supernatural power will swiftly welcome me, and that Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta will also come to assist me, so that this mind of mine does not lose right mindfulness, does not give rise to terror, and does not fall back from the Dharma of Amitābha.” Having made this vow, he threw himself down from the tree and ended his life. At that time, the scholar-officials of the capital, turning toward him with sincere faith, all gathered his bones and buried them. Emperor Gaozong, learning that light had issued from his mouth when he practiced buddhānusmṛti and knowing that his devotion was so utter at the time he cast off his retribution, issued an edict naming his monastery ‘Monastery of Light’ (Guangming).”