淨土往生傳 3.12

3.12

Shi Sengzang was a native of Xihe. His family surname is unknown. By nature he was humble and modest, never contending with others. When he saw the elderly, he respected them; when he met the virtuous, he revered them. Wherever there was toil or hardship, he would certainly place himself ahead of the assembly. He had practiced buddhānusmṛti of Amitābha for over twenty years, and his mouth never uttered wrong or malicious words. Always considering that for swiftly escaping the three realms nothing comes before buddhānusmṛti, therefore whether walking he seemed to leave, whether sitting he seemed to forget, and while drinking, eating, or sleeping, his mind was set upon Anyang. In the Qianfu era of Emperor Xizong of the Tang, he fell ill in bed. While ill, he saw the Pure Land's transformation Buddhas illuminating his body with light. Those attending the sick were beside Zang; Zang said: 'Reflecting upon myself from dust-eon times up to the present day, the sins and errors I have accumulated are like the number of dust motes. How could I expect that today the holy assembly's light would illuminate my body? This is truly the Lord of the Pure Land Teachings, who with great compassion embraces me.' The next day, he again addressed the monks, saying: 'I just closed my eyes and was right in the Pure Land, receiving the various superior virtuous persons.' He also said: 'The various superior virtuous persons all rejoice at my coming, and are scattering flowers together with our kind.' Before the span of a meal had passed, he said again: 'The various superior virtuous persons are presently beckoning me; I shall depart.' Thereupon he arose, adjusted his garments, faced west, and passed away.