往生集 2.311

2.311

大明戈以安。法名廣泰。錢塘人。性至孝。素積善行。而深自鞱晦。不求人知。晚歲精誠奉佛。與靈芝僧玄素。結春秋二社念佛。誦華嚴五經。忽謂人曰。吾大限將至。當為西歸資糧。遂自室課誦。昕夕不輟。預定歸期於臘月二十一日。前二夕。母子環視悲哽。居士咲曰。生必有滅。奚悲為。吾方凝神淨域。面覲彌陀。若等慎勿以情愛亂我正念。諄諄惟囑玄素。助念無間雜語。至期寂然而逝。

In the Great Ming, Ge Yi'an, Dharma name Guangtai, was a native of Qiantang. By nature deeply filial, he accumulated good deeds all his life while deeply concealing his merits, not seeking recognition from others. In his later years he served the Buddha with utmost sincerity, forming two societies for spring and autumn with the monk Xuansu of Lingzhi to practice buddhamanasikāra and recite five sūtras of the Avataṃsaka. He suddenly said to others: 'My life's limit is approaching; I must prepare provisions for returning to the West.' He thereupon recited scriptures in his room, day and night without ceasing, setting his return date in advance for the twenty-first day of the twelfth month. Two evenings before, mother and son looked at each other and wept. The layman smiled and said: 'Where there is birth, there must be death; why grieve? I am now concentrating my spirit on the Pure Realm to meet Amitābha face to face. Be careful not to let affection disrupt my correct mindfulness.' He earnestly instructed only Xuansu to assist in recitation without intermingling idle talk. When the appointed time came, he passed away in silence.