法苑珠林 36.142

36.142

During the Northern Qi period, there was an official surnamed Liang who was very wealthy. Near death, he said to his wife and children: 'The servant and horse that I loved all my life have both been in my service for a long time and suited my wishes. When I die, you may sacrifice them to accompany me in death; otherwise, I will have nothing to ride.' When he died, his family members filled a sack with earth and crushed the servant to death with it; the horse had not yet been killed. Four days after dying, the servant revived and related: 'I was unconscious of departing, when suddenly I reached the gate of an official office. The gatekeeper detained me, and I spent a night at the gate. The next morning, I saw my deceased master, chained and guarded by soldiers, saying he was going into the official hall. Seeing me, he said: "I thought that dead men could still employ servants, and that is why I gave word to summon you. Now, each of us suffers his own torment, bearing no relation to the other at all. Now I will speak to the official to release you." Having spoken, he entered. I peeked from outside the screen and saw the official ask the guards: "How much fat was pressed out yesterday?" They answered: "Eight dou were obtained." The official said: "Take him away again and press out one hu and six dou." The master was then dragged out under pressure, unable to utter a word. The next morning, he came again with a pleasant countenance, saying to the servant: "Today I will speak for you." He entered again, and the official asked: "Was the fat obtained?" They answered: "It was not obtained." The official asked why. The presiding officer said: "It has been three days since this man died; his family has invited monks and held an assembly for him. Every time the sound of scripture pāṭha is heard, the iron beam breaks; hence none could be obtained." The official said: "Take him away for now." The presiding officer reported to the official, requesting that the servant be released. The servant was immediately summoned and released, and both went out the gate. The master sent a message to his wife and children, saying: "Relying on the merit you pursued, I have been spared great suffering, yet I am still not delivered. If you can furthermore make scriptures and images to rescue me, I hope to gain release thereby. From now on, do not offer sacrifices; not only do I receive no food, but it increases my guilt." Having finished speaking, they parted. The servant then revived and recounted everything in detail. The family had indeed held an assembly on that day. Thereupon, they emptied their household wealth to pursue merit, and the whole family cultivated their conduct.' (The above one proof is from the Mingbao shiyi ji.)