法苑珠林 64.30

64.30

In Xiaoyi County of Fenzhou during the Tang dynasty, there was a man of Quancun named Liu Mo'er. On the twenty-seventh day of the eighth month in the fourth year of the Xianqing era, he encountered an illness and died; his son, Shibao, died the following day as well. Throughout their lives, the conduct of both father and son had been deceitful and dangerous. Their northern neighbor, Qi Longwei, was run over and killed by a cart while gathering firewood, but revived after several days. He saw Mo'er's son, Shibao, in a cauldron of boiling water; in an instant, his skin and flesh were entirely consumed, no longer retaining human shape, and only white bones could be seen. After a good while like this, he returned to his original form. Longwei asked him the reason, and he replied, 'Because of my shooting and hunting, I suffer this punishment.' He further asked Shibao, 'Where is your father?' He replied, 'My father's sins are heavy, so he cannot be seen right away. Since you are returning soon, please inform my household to cultivate fasts and merits on our behalf.' When he finished speaking, he was urged on by an emissary. Advancing to an administrative hall, he saw that the buildings were lofty and imposing, with more than twenty men holding weapons. An official questioned him, saying, 'What meritorious karma have you performed in recent times?' He replied, 'In the first month of last year, Longwei watched the recitation of the entire Canon at Ducun, took off a robe to offer as a gift, and moreover received the five precepts, which I have not violated to this day.' The official then said, 'If it is as you say, your merits are immeasurable; why was there a need for you to come here?' He then called for the register to examine it, and saw that the register said: 'It is true that this person was meant to die.' An annotation at the side read: 'By virtue of the merit from receiving the precepts and giving alms, his life should further be prolonged.' Thereupon a man was sent to escort him back, and he revived immediately.