往生集 1.12

1.12

The appreciation says: Prior to the Jin, although the purport of the Pure Land had been heard in China, its great propagation and vigorous practice so that every family and household knew of it began with Master Yuan. Therefore, for ten thousand generations thereafter, disciples of pure karma have revered the Master as the first patriarch. He may well be called Śākyamuni expounding the Western Direction once again, and Amitābha manifesting his body in the Eastern Land. Was his merit not indeed magnificent? Formerly, when I travelled to Mount Lu, drank from the spring of Tiger Creek, and gazed upon the Hall of Three Laughs, I lingered amidst the remaining traces of the Eighteen Worthies. I saw that its scale was grand and expansive, fully fit to be a dwelling for ten thousand monks. Yet the halls and pavilions were coated in dust, and the bells and drums were silent and desolate; forlornly, each door had a different lock, and each room a different hearth. The wise man has passed away, and his fragrant footsteps have no successor. Alas!