淨土往生傳 2.8

2.8

Shi Fazhi's ancestry is unknown. In the time of Emperor Wen of the Sui, he traveled to study in Dongyue. Whenever there was someone in Yue who understood the doctrinal meanings of the Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna sūtras, Fazhi would study under him; thus, in sheer diligence and broad learning, few could match him. In his later years, deeming that among all direct paths none was as good as buddhānusmṛti, he rose at dawn and rested at dusk, continuing his mindfulness without slackening for seven years. Afterward, he mused, "To commit a single duṣkṛta and bear its retribution for an intermediate kalpa—this can indeed be believed, for it was done deliberately. But that reciting the name of Amitābha Buddha just once can extinguish the heavy offenses of billions of kalpas—this I privately doubt." Someone told Fazhi, "Do not doubt yourself! The teaching says that if one practices buddhānusmṛti for long, it bears merit; with merit comes transformation; with transformation, samādhi becomes manifest. Now, your doubt is a doubt of the teaching. To doubt the teaching leaves faith with no support; with no support, one's mind becomes disordered. Becoming disordered and going astray, the fault of slandering [the Dharma] becomes the cause for being born in hell. How could you let that arise, and why doubt yourself?" Fazhi reformed his mind with sincerity and, upon the Tuṣita Terrace of Guoqing Monastery, cut off all external concerns to focus single-mindedly on buddhānusmṛti. When his contemplation reached its peak, he was repeatedly blessed with the simultaneous appearance of Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta. On another day, he was blessed with the sight of a heavenly crown and a jeweled vase, their light illuminating his person. Fazhi said to his acquaintances among monastics and laity, "The day for my rebirth in the Pure Land is at hand! Who among you will prepare a meal to bid me farewell?" The crowd smiled and replied, "If you can truly do so, how could we begrudge a single meal? We only fear that you, O practitioner, will not be able to do so." They agreed to assemble for a meal three days later. On that day, when the meal was finished, Fazhi showed no illness. Among the crowd, some believed, some disbelieved, and some suspected he was merely mocking them. As the sun sank in the west, they lodged in his room to watch. Before the night ended, Fazhi recited the Buddha's name upon his rope bed, sat peacefully, and passed away. That night, a golden light came from the west, illuminating several hundred li. The fishermen on the river thought it was dawn; boats gazing toward each other, they all rose up in alarm, and only after a long while did the actual day break.