往生集 2.18

2.18

Wang Zhonghui of the Song served as an army director of works (sishi canjun) in Guangzhou. He asked Lord Yang, Master Wuwei: 'The sūtras instruct people to seek rebirth in the Pure Land, yet the ancestral masters say that the mind itself is the Pure Land and there is no need to seek further. How is this?' Lord Yang answered: 'Try examining yourself. If you abide in the realm of the Buddha, there is neither pure nor defiled; what need is there to seek rebirth? But if you have not transcended the realm of sentient beings, how could you not single-mindedly engage in buddhamanasikāra, abandon the defiled land, and seek rebirth in the Pure Land?' The director of works was awakened and inspired, and departed with joyous leaping. Two years later, when Lord Yang was prefect of Danyang, he suddenly dreamed that the director of works said to him: 'Previously I received your guidance, and now I have already attained rebirth; I have come specially to express my gratitude.' A few days later the obituary arrived, stating that the director of works had known the time of his passing seven days in advance, bade farewell to his clan members, and passed away—precisely at the time the dream occurred.