往生集 3.49

3.49

Ge Jizhi of the Song dynasty was a native of Jurong and a descendant of Zhichuan (Ge Hong). His family had practiced the Daoist arts for generations, but his wife, Lady Ji, practiced buddhamanasikāra alone with sincere dedication. In the thirteenth year of Yuanjia, while she was at the loom, she suddenly felt the sky was clear and bright. Dropping her shuttle, she looked up toward the four directions and saw a Buddha appearing in the Western Direction, with jeweled canopies, banners, and streamers overshadowing the Milky Way. Rejoicing, she said, 'The sūtras speak of Amitāyus Buddha; could this be he?' Facing the Buddha, she paid homage. Jizhi was amazed and went to her; Lady Ji pointed out the Buddha's location, and Jizhi also saw half the body. Soon it vanished, but auspicious five-colored clouds were seen by all the relatives. From then on, many took refuge in the Buddha-Dharma.