三寶感應要略錄 1.35

1.35

During the Sui dynasty, the monk Daoyu recited [the name of] Amitābha Buddha at Kaijue Temple, and made a sandalwood [image] three inches in height. Later, Daoyu suddenly died, but revived after seven days, saying: 'At first I saw a worthy who had attained rebirth arrive beside a jeweled pond. The worthy circumambulated a flower three times, and the flower immediately opened and bloomed; he then entered and sat within it. I circumambulated a flower three times, but it did not open for me. I pushed the flower open with my hand, but the flower then withered and fell. Amitābha Buddha addressed me, saying: "You must first return to that country, repent of all your transgressions, and bathe in fragrant warm water. When the morning star appears, I will come to welcome you. But when you made an image of me, why did you make it so small?" I said: "If the mind is large, it is large; if the mind is small, it is small." When I finished speaking, the image pervaded empty space.' He then bathed in fragrant warm water as instructed and single-mindedly repented. He said to the assembly: 'Recite the Buddha's name on my behalf.' When the morning star appeared, a transformation Buddha came to welcome him; the assembly all saw the bright light. He then expired. It was the eighth year of Kaihuang.