法苑珠林 42.75

42.75

Que Gongze of the Jin was a native of Zhao. Tranquil and unattached, he was diligent solely in Dharma activities. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Jin, he died in Luoyang. His like-minded companions among the monastics and laity held an assembly for him at Baima Temple. That night, while reciting sūtras, in the middle of the night they heard the sound of chanting praises from the sky. Looking up, they saw a person of imposing and noble stature, whose ceremonial attire was tidy and beautiful. He then spoke, saying: "I am Que Gongze. Now I have been born in the Western Realm of Utmost Bliss, and have come with various bodhisattvas to listen to the sūtra recitation." The entire hall leapt in astonishment, and all were able to behold him. At that time, there was also Wei Shidu, a native of Jijun, who was likewise an ascetic lay practitioner. He took Master Gongze as his teacher. His mother was also deeply faithful; she recited sūtras, kept the permanent fast, and regularly provided meals to monks. Once, as noon was approaching, the mother went outside the fasting hall and strolled about gazing into the distance with several bhikṣuṇīs. Suddenly, she saw an object descend from the sky, landing directly before her. It turned out to be Gongze's bowl. It was brimming with cooked rice, and a fragrant aroma filled the air. The whole hall became solemn and prostrated in reverent worship at once. The mother distributed the rice herself; those partaking in the fast ate it, and none felt hungry for seven days. It is said that this bowl still exists in the northern regions. Shidu had literary skill; he composed the text of the Eightfold Fasting Confession (Baguan chanwen), which was still used by fasting practitioners at the end of the Jin. He died during the Yongchang reign period of the Jin, and miraculous wonders were likewise seen. A maker of statues composed the Biographies of Sages and Worthies, recording these matters in full, which stated that Shidu was also reborn in the West. Wang Gai of Wuxing said: "The elder Que mounted into the night to the light of the sun; Wei [Shi]du followed in his footsteps. Both were tranquil in the non-arising [of phenomena], and both cast off their physical frames so as not to die."