往生集 2.122

2.122

Old Ji of the Song dynasty was an ironsmith in Taoyuan of Siming. At the age of seventy, he lost the sight in both eyes. The local Education Intendant Bao printed and distributed stroke-counting charts to encourage people to practice buddhamanasikāra. Old Ji at first received one chart and completed three hundred and sixty thousand recitations. When he recited to the fourth chart, both eyes were clear and bright. In this manner, after three years, he completed seventeen charts. One day while practicing buddhamanasikāra his breath suddenly ceased; after half a day he revived and said, 'The Buddha commanded that six charts be given to Education Intendant Bao, as he is the leader who encouraged and guided; and one chart be given to Elder Li the Second, as he is the distributor of the charts.' He instructed his son to go and thank them. Having spoken, he bathed, faced west, and passed away.