往生集 2.231

2.231

元鄞縣寶幢市周婆。精修淨土。遇歲首持不語。晝夜常坐。盡月而止。遇暑月則施茶湯。歷久不廢。一夕夢。大荷葉遍覆一市。覺自身持數珠行道葉上。既而微疾。隣人夜見幢幡寶蓋來入其家。黎明婆已合掌。念佛逝矣。

Old Woman Zhou of Baopai Market in Yin County during the Yuan dynasty cultivated the Pure Land with dedication. At the beginning of each year, she observed the practice of silence, always sitting day and night until the month ended. During the summer months, she distributed tea and broth, maintaining this practice for a long time without lapse. One night she dreamed that a large lotus leaf covered the entire market, and felt herself holding counting beads, walking upon the leaf in circumambulation. Shortly thereafter she fell slightly ill. At night, neighbors saw banners, pennants, and jewelled canopies enter her home. At daybreak, the old woman had already joined her palms, recited the Buddha's name, and passed away.