淨土往生傳 2.19

2.19

Shi Weian was a man of Jiaocheng in Bingzhou. He would frequently lament that there is no peace in the three realms, just like a burning house; and until one is reborn in Anyang, all is an accumulation of suffering. Thereupon, he diligently cultivated the sixteen contemplations without weariness. On the seventh day of the first month in the first year of the Chuigong era of the Tang, as An emerged from contemplation, he saw the two bodhisattvas Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta appear in the sky, lingering for a long time without vanishing. An made prostrations, weeping tears like rain, and sighed, “It is by great fortune that through fleshly eyes I have beheld the sacred visages, yet I regret they will not be transmitted to future ages.” Suddenly, two men who called themselves painters came to paint them. In less than an arm’s stretch of time, the sacred forms were successfully completed, and once finished, the men vanished. When his disciples asked about this in wonder, An said, “How could they have been [ordinary] painters?” He further said, “The time has come for my journey to the west. If any of you disciples wish to follow me, speak clearly.” A young novice said, “I follow only the Master’s command; who would dare refuse?” An said, “If you are truly able to follow me, you should inform your parents.” When his parents heard of it, they laughed and scolded him, his intent failing to reach them. The novice then returned to the monastery, bathed in fragrant water, and, seated cross-legged before an image of Amitābha, passed away. Someone told An, and An went to the boy, patted his back, and said, “In serving me, why have you gone before me?” He then asked for a brush, burned incense, and facing the newly painted bodhisattvas, composed a verse of praise: / ‘Avalokiteśvara aids the distant reception; / Mahāsthāmaprāpta assists the welcoming from afar. / A jeweled vase is displayed upon the crown; / A transformation buddha shines in front of the head. / Together they roam the realms of the ten directions, / Holding blossoms to await those of the nine births. / May their compassionate hands / Lift and lead us to travel together to the west.’ / Having made the praise, he instructed his disciples to assist him in chanting the Buddha’s name. Since some had not yet arrived, An said, “There is no need to wait for them any longer.” He then raised his eyes, gazed toward the west, and abruptly passed away.