釋門自鏡錄 2.25

2.25

Shi Fasi: although he committed many infractions against the precepts, he always harbored reverence. In his youth, he once called for drinks in the evening with two or three companions. Deep in the night they dispersed, and as he just stepped out the door, suddenly three persons surrounded him front and back. Fasi asked: 'Who are you?' They replied: 'We are messengers of King Yama, sent to arrest and summon you,' and immediately grabbed him. Fasi contested with all his might, saying: 'What sin do I have that I am captured?' Barely able to enter his room, he leaned over, collapsed, and expired. The entire monastery was shocked and alarmed, all coming to stand guard over him. At dawn he revived. Weeping bitterly, he fully recounted what he had seen, saying: 'I went and saw King Yama, who asked what sins I had committed. I said: "In my youth I was favored to enter the Way, but I was vastly deficient in precept conduct. My other offenses are still light; only drinking wine was frequent." The king immediately ordered his attendants to pour wine for Fasi. The attendants dashed to fetch it, and once they arrived, gave Fasi a cup of wine, about a sheng in size. Fasi received it; once in his hands, it suddenly turned into boiling copper, flames leaping several zhang high. Terrified, he threw it, but could not get rid of it. The king urged him to drink quickly, and Fasi cried out wailing for rescue. The king said: "What merit did you make during your life?" Fasi said: "I constantly chanted the Precept Sūtra, once every night." As he finished speaking, the wine cup he held suddenly left his hand. The king said: "The precepts are the root of practice. Since you chant them, you must uphold them; do not make empty words anymore, vainly wasting your vitality. The power of chanting and upholding them also slightly dispelled your obstructive burdens. We release the Master for now to return; you should reflect and repent. If you wish to drink again, you should think of boiling copper." Thereupon he saw a foreign monk who led him out.' Later, Fasi did not heed the underworld repentance and was again arrested; thereupon he reformed, and so met with no further harm.