釋門自鏡錄 2.76

2.76

隋開皇初有楊州僧。忘其本名。誦通涅槃。自矜為業。岐州東山下村中沙彌。誦觀世音經二俱暴死。心下俱暖同至閻羅王所。乃處沙彌金高座甚恭敬之。處涅槃僧銀高座敬心不重。事訖勘問。二俱餘壽。皆放還。彼涅槃僧情大恨恨。恃所誦多問沙彌住處。於是兩辭各蘇所在。彼從南來至岐州訪得具問所由。沙彌言。幼誦觀音。別衣別所燒香呪願然後乃誦。斯法不怠。更無他術。彼謝曰。吾罪深矣。所誦涅槃威儀不整。身口不淨。救忘而已。古人遺言。多惡不如少善。於今取驗。悔往而返（法苑珠林）。

At the beginning of the Kaihuang era of the Sui, there was a monk from Yangzhou whose original name is forgotten. He had completely memorized and recited the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, boasting of it as his lifelong practice. A novice in a village beneath the East Mountain of Qizhou recited the Avalokiteśvara Sūtra. Both died suddenly. The areas below their hearts remained warm, and together they arrived at King Yama’s court. The King placed the novice on a golden high seat, treating him with great reverence, but placed the Nirvāṇa monk on a silver high seat, showing him less respect. When the proceedings concluded and their records were checked, both had remaining lifespan and were released to return. That Nirvāṇa monk harbored great resentment; relying on his extensive recitations, he asked where the novice lived. They then parted and each revived in his own place. Coming from the south to Qizhou, he sought out the novice and questioned him thoroughly about the cause. The novice said: “Since childhood I have recited Avalokiteśvara. I put on special robes, go to a special place, burn incense, make vows, and only then recite. I never slacken in this practice; I have no other method.” The monk apologized, saying: “My sin is grave indeed. When reciting the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, my deportment was disorderly and my body and speech impure; I only tried to keep from forgetting. The ancients had a saying: ‘Abundant evil is not as good as a little good.’ Now this has been verified.” Repenting of his past, he returned. (A Forest of Pearls from the Dharma Garden)