往生集 2.184

2.184

In the Song dynasty, Lady Wang, the wife of the Prince of Jing, exclusively cultivated pure karma, being diligent and devoted day and night. Among her serving women, there was none who did not emulate her. Only one concubine was negligent and lax; the Madame reprimanded her, whereupon she felt remorse, reformed, and practiced vigorously. Suddenly, she passed away without illness, appearing in a dream to another concubine and saying, "Receiving the Madame's instruction, I have already been born in Peaceful Nourishment." The Madame did not believe it. Shortly afterward, she also dreamed that she wandered with the concubine in the jeweled pond, seeing one flower on which heavenly robes fluttered, inscribed: "Yang Jie"; on another flower a man sat in court dress, inscribed: "Ma Wei"; and she saw another golden terrace radiant with blazing light. The concubine pointed and said, "This is where the Madame will be born." When she awoke, she became all the more vigorous. At eighty-one years of age, on the morning of her birthday, holding a candle and burning incense, she stood facing the Guanyin Pavilion. While her attendants were just preparing the ceremonial offerings of longevity blessings, she had already passed away standing.