往生集 2.10

2.10

Liu Yimin of the Jin was a native of Pengcheng and a descendant of King Yuan of Chu of the Han dynasty. Having lost his father when young, he served his mother and was renowned for his filial piety. Self-confident in his talents, he did not associate with the vulgar crowd. Initially serving as an army administrative assistant (canjun) to the commandery headquarters, he soon went into retirement. Xie An and Liu Yu repeatedly recommended him, but he declined to take office. The emperor conferred upon him the title 'Yimin' (Left-Behind Citizen). He entered Mount Lu and participated in Master Huiyuan's Lotus Society, composing a 'Poem on the Buddhānusmṛti-samādhi' to express his dedicated aspiration. He once saw in samādhi a Buddha-light illuminating the ground, turning it entirely into the color of gold. After dwelling there for fifteen years, he again saw Amitābha Buddha, the light of whose jade ūrṇā shone forth, lowering his hand to console and welcome him. Yimin earnestly pleaded: 'How might I have the Tathāgata rub my crown and cover me with his robe?' Presently, the Buddha rubbed his crown and drew forward his kāṣāya to cover him. On another day, he also saw himself enter a seven-jeweled pond, where lotus flowers were blue and white and the water was crystal clear. There was a person whose neck bore a circular halo and whose chest bore a svastika; pointing to the pond water, he said: 'This is the water of eight virtuous qualities; you may drink it.' Yimin drank the water, finding it sweet and delicious. Even after waking, he still sensed an extraordinary fragrance emanating from his pores. Thereupon he announced to the assembly: 'The conditions for my rebirth in the Pure Land have arrived!' Facing an image, he burned incense, bowed twice, and prayed: 'Because of the bequeathed teachings of Śākya, I came to know of Amitābha Buddha. This incense I offer first to Śākyamuni Tathāgata, and next to Amitābha Buddha and the Lotus Sūtra of the Wonderful Dharma. I vow that all sentient beings may together be reborn in the Pure Land.' Having spoken, he faced west, joined his palms, and passed away. This was in the sixth year of the Yixi reign era.