往生集 1.162

1.162

宋子元。號萬事休。平江崐山人。少習止觀。定中聞鴉聲悟道。頌曰。二十餘年紙上尋。尋來尋去轉沈吟。忽然聽得慈鴉叫。始信從前錯用心。於是利他心切。普勸念佛。代為法界眾生。禮佛懺悔。祈生安養。剏白蓮懺堂。述四土三觀。選佛圖。開示蓮宗眼目。逆順境中。未甞動念。高宗皇帝召見。賜號慈照。後於鐸城。三月二十三日。告眾曰。吾化緣已畢。時當行矣。言訖合掌示寂。荼毘舍利無數。勅賜最勝之塔。

Ziyuan of the Song dynasty went by the appellation Wanshi Xiu ('All Matters Cease'). He was a native of Kunshan in Pingjiang. In his youth, he practiced śamatha-vipaśyanā; while in concentration, he heard the cawing of a crow and awakened to the Way. His verse says: 'For over twenty years I searched upon paper, / Searching back and forth, turning to deeper contemplation. / Suddenly hearing the cry of a compassionate crow, / I finally realized I had misapplied my mind before.' Thereupon, his desire to benefit others became ardent, and he universally exhorted people to practice buddhamanasikāra, bowing to the Buddha and repenting on behalf of the sentient beings of the dharmadhātu, praying for rebirth in Peaceful Nourishment. He founded the White Lotus Repentance Hall, expounded the Four Lands and Three Contemplations, designed the Chart for Selecting Buddhas, and revealed the eye of the Lotus Sect. Amid favorable and adverse circumstances, he never stirred a single thought. Emperor Gaozong granted him an audience and bestowed upon him the title Cirao. Later, in Duocheng, on the twenty-third day of the third month, he addressed the assembly, saying: 'My affinity for transforming others has concluded; the time has come for me to depart.' Having spoken, he joined his palms and manifested his passing. Upon cremation, relics were innumerable, and by imperial decree, he was granted the Stupa of Supreme Victory.