往生集 1.33

1.33

晉僧濟。入廬山從遠公學。達嘆曰。紹隆大法。其在爾乎。後疾篤。誠期淨土。遠遺燭一枝曰。汝可運心安養。濟執燭憑几。停想無亂。又集眾諷淨土經。五更濟以燭授弟子元弼。令隨眾行道。頃之。覺自秉一燭。乘空而行。見阿彌陀佛。接置於掌。遍至十方。歘然而覺。且悲且慰。自省四大。了無疾苦。明夕。忽起立。目逆虛空。如有所見。須臾還臥。容色愉悅。謂傍人曰。吾行矣。右脅而逝。時方炎暑。三日而體不變。異香郁然。

Sengji of the Jin entered Mount Lu to study under Master Yuan. Da'an sighed and said: "Will the succession and glorification of the great Dharma not rest with you?" Later, falling gravely ill, he sincerely aspired to the Pure Land. Yuan sent him a candle, saying: "You can direct your mind toward Peaceful Nourishment." Ji held the candle and leaned against a low table, steadying his thoughts without disturbance. He also assembled the community to recite the Pure Land sūtras. At the fifth watch, Ji handed the candle to his disciple Yuanbi, ordering him to follow the community in circumambulation. Shortly thereafter, he felt himself holding a candle and flying through empty space. He saw Amitābha Buddha receive him and place him in his palm, reaching everywhere throughout the ten directions. Abruptly he awoke, both sorrowful and comforted. Examining his four great elements, he was completely free of illness and suffering. The following evening, he suddenly stood up, gazing into empty space as if seeing something. In a moment he lay down again with a joyful countenance, saying to the people beside him: "I am departing." Lying on his right side, he passed away. It was then the heat of summer, yet for three days his body did not change, and an extraordinary fragrance was dense.