三寶感應要略錄 3.47

3.47

Shi Daoqin of the Hengtang Vihāra on Mount Changshan in the Wei dynasty was a man of the late Wei. In a dream someone said to him: 'When you reach that year, you shall die at the age of forty-two.' Qin awoke and was terrified. When he reached that year, he contracted a severe illness and was extremely worried. He used all his personal property to cultivate merit. A friend said to him: 'I have heard that making offerings to sixty billion bodhisattvas brings merit equal and no different to reciting Avalokiteśvara once. Why do you not take refuge with utmost sincerity? You will surely be able to extend your life.' Qin was moved by his words and, for four days and four nights, practiced with exclusive dedication without interruption. Beneath the curtain where he sat, he suddenly saw light enter from outside the door, and saw Avalokiteśvara's feet, between the soles and ankles, shining brilliantly in gold. [Avalokiteśvara] spoke to Qin, saying: 'If one's capacity for response is deep, even fixed karma can [be averted]. If one's conditions in past and present are shallow, even slight suffering will have no relief. If you give rise to the mind of taking refuge, know that your capacity for response is deep; if you hear and do not recite, that is because your past conditions are shallow. Do you recite Avalokiteśvara?' Qin lifted the curtain and looked, but saw nothing more. Weeping and sweating with grief and joy, he immediately felt his body grow light. Cured by the addition of that power, he ultimately prolonged his life.