法苑珠林 72.43

72.43

Xindu Yuanfang, a man of Fuyang County in Xiangzhou during the Tang dynasty, possessed integrity and noble aspirations in his youth and was especially fond of Buddhist scriptures. He was twenty-nine years old, and in the first month of spring in the fifth year of the Xianqing reign, he died. More than a month after his death, his elder brother, the monk Daojie of Faguan Temple, felt an intense yearning of fraternal affection. He then brought a spirit medium to the house, sending him to seek Yuanfang and speak with him. Daojie also had some understanding of ritual arts; he drew a talisman to summon Yuanfang and instructed the medium to inquire into his circumstances. The medium was illiterate, so they had a literate person hold the brush. The medium dictated on Yuanfang's behalf, writing a single letter addressed to his classmate Ping Xingji, recounting his lifelong sentiments in full, along with two poems. He also left a letter for his family. Its composition was orderly, and its wording was sorrowful. His letters generally exhorted them to cultivate meritorious deeds, chant the Buddha's name, and copy sūtras, stating that the karma of taking life is the greatest of sins, none surpassing it. He also said: 'Yuanfang has not entered hell, nor has he fallen among ghosts. Formerly, I received an assignment from the underworld officials ordering me to be born as a son in the family of Li Renshi of Shizhou. But because Shi Mingyuan of Wushan County in Longzhou prayed for a son at Mount Hua, it was changed so that I will be born as a son to the Shi family.' He also said: 'The date of my rebirth is pressing close; I am constrained and cannot remain any longer. Conceived in the second month, I will be born in the twelfth month. I pray that my elder brothers and the others, in their flowing compassion, will go there to see me.' Having finished speaking, he wept and departed. Xue Dazao of Hedong, who was residing in Fuyang and had previously served as the magistrate of Wushan County, himself stated that he was well acquainted with Mingyuan. The monks Huiyong, Fazhen, and others of Zhili Temple related this. (This comes from the Mingbao shiyi ji).