三寶感應要略錄 1.37

1.37

Zhang Yuanshou was a native of Bingzhou. Although he possessed a good heart, his household made killing living beings their livelihood. After both of his parents had died, he subsequently renounced the livelihood of killing and cultivated the mindfulness of Amitābha Buddha. Giving rise to the aspiration to save both his parents, he made a three-foot image of Amitābha Buddha, enshrined it in an old chamber, and made offerings and prostrations with incense, flowers, and bright lamps. In a dream, there was light in the room, and within the light were more than twenty people mounted on lotus pedestals. Among them, two approached the courtyard and called out to Yuanshou. Yuanshou then asked, 'Who are you?' They replied: 'We are your parents. Although we understood the samādhi of mindfulness of the Buddha, we were fond of wine and meat, and killed many living beings such as fish and birds, and for that reason fell into the Hell of Screaming. Although we fell into hell, by the power of mindfulness of the Buddha, the burning iron and molten copper were like cool water. Yesterday, a śramaṇa three feet in height came and preached the Dharma. More than twenty people of the same karma, hearing what the śramaṇa preached, all escaped hell and are now to be born in the Pure Land. Since the time is ripe, we have come by this cause and condition to tell you. Those who are in the air are our fellow karma-sharers from hell.' Having spoken of this matter, they pointed to the west and departed. When he related what he had dreamed to the monks, they all said that the image he had made had gone into the hell to rescue them from suffering.