往生集 1.253

1.253

Chuqi of the Great Ming was a native of Shu who had deep faith in the Western Direction. Reaching Yanjing, he heard the drum in the tower sound and attained great awakening. Early in the Hongwu era, he was summoned thrice to preach the Dharma in the capital, greatly delighting the Imperial mind. Later he built a chamber named the Western Studio, focusing solely on pure karma. He once saw a great lotus blossom filling the world, with Amitābha in the center, surrounded by the assembly of sages. When about to demonstrate nirvana, he wrote a verse to show the assembly: “I am departing.” People asked where he was to be born; he answered, “In the Western Direction.” They further asked, “There is a Buddha in the west, but is there no Buddha in the east?” He then gave a loud shout and passed away in tranquility.