淨土往生傳 3.4

3.4

Shi Biancai's secular surname was Li, and he was a native of Xiangyang. When his mother was pregnant with him, she suddenly abhorred meat and pungent foods. On the night of his birth, a fragrant aroma filled the room. At the age of seven, he went forth under Chan Master Ji of Mount Xian. At sixteen, he shaved his head and was registered at Dayun Monastery in his home prefecture. Next, he traveled widely through various commanderies, thoroughly investigating the scriptures and texts. Later, hearing of the Dharma gate of Vinaya Master Huaiwei of Anguo Monastery in Chang'an, he gazed up to him and went in person to request instruction, whereupon he attained great accomplishment. In the fourteenth year of Tianbao of the Tang, Emperor Xuanzong, considering that the people of the north were endowed with a fierce and resolute disposition which had formed into a custom, and that many in the monasteries practiced riding and archery, decreed that Biancai serve as an instructor, ascending the platform to train and tame them. Early in the Zhide era, when Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, the Chief Minister Du Hongjian and others memorialized that he reside at Longxing Monastery, and an imperial decree added the post of Instructor within the Shuofang Jurisdiction so that he might admonish and encourage them in order to reform the corrupt customs. When An Lushan rebelled against the dynasty, shedding blood along the Yellow and Luo rivers, Biancai feigned illness, cut off all sound, and did not speak for three years. After An Lushan's troops were defeated, Emperor Suzong repeatedly issued imperial edicts to express praise. In the third year of Dali, an imperial decree appointed him as a Great Virtuous One of Zhangxin Monastery. At that time, the Prefectural Commander Lord Chang of the Guo State and the Defense Commissioner Lord Ren, though admiring Biancai's reputation, had not yet bowed in greeting to him in person; when they personally discussed the Way with him, their admiration deepened even more. Regarding the Pure Land, Biancai had practiced secretly and made hidden progress for some twenty years without ever speaking of it to others. When interacting with Lord Ren, he then said: "With this phantom body, I have already reached declining years. When my years are exhausted and my body dies, I will surely be born in the Pure Land. The period for fulfilling this rebirth—will it not be ten years?" In the autumn of the thirteenth year, he fell ill. When it reached the eighth day of late winter, he said to his disciples: "Go to Lord Ren and tell him: 'The period that was previously promised has now reached ten years. May your Lordship not forget it.'" The disciples reported his words, and Lord Ren said: "Could the Master be bidding farewell to me?" He hastily made an appointment with Lord Chang to go and inquire after him. When the two lords reached the gate, someone reported: "Lord Ren has arrived." Biancai said: "Since he has arrived, I shall depart." He then sat cross-legged and serenely passed away. At that time, Shi Yong, a townsman serving on the city wall, heard music coming from the west played in ensemble, and also smelled various wondrous fragrances drifting down from the west, which grew even more intense by the clear morning.