華嚴經傳記 4.17

4.17

Shi Fanian, surnamed Wang, came from an eminent clan of Taiyuan. At the age of thirty he left the household life. By nature aloof and fond of wandering, he was undisciplined and followed vulgar habits, such that the monastic assembly would not deign to associate with him. He once dreamed that he entered the nether administration and suffered extreme agony. Upon waking, his thoughts shifted and he reformed, yet he did not know which path to follow. At that time, meeting the śramaṇa Zhiju and others who repeatedly spoke of miraculous responses from the unseen realm, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to chanting and reading without cessation day or night. Every time he held a scripture, tears would stream down his face. Things continued like this for three years. Later, his eyebrows suddenly fell out and sores broke out all over his body. Fanian's joy and celebration mingled in his breast, rejoicing that he was experiencing retribution in this present life. He held a great feast of offering to requite the divine efficacy, and applied himself with redoubled diligence to chanting and reading. After another three years had passed, the sores on his body gradually healed. From then on, Fanian widely exhorted scholars and commoners to repent and purify themselves in reliance on this; nine out of ten households repaired their transgressions. At the age of sixty-eight, he passed away at his dwelling.