法苑珠林 91.52

91.52

During the Jin dynasty, Sun Zhi, courtesy name Fahui, was a native of Banyang County in Qi Commandery. His father, Zuo, was a Grand Master of the Palace under the Jin. Zhi venerated the Dharma from his youth. At the age of eighteen, in the eighth month of the first year of Xiankang, he died of illness. Zuo later moved his residence to Wuchang. On the eighth day of the fourth month of the third year, the śramaṇa Yu Fajie was parading a venerable statue past their family gate. The entire household, both elders and youngsters, went out to view it. Zhi was also among the crowd, following and attending the procession of the statue. Seeing his parents, he bowed, knelt, and inquired after their wellbeing, and then followed them home together. Zuo had already been ill, and Zhi said, “There is no otherworldly misfortune or haunting; it is merely caused by failing to care for yourself properly. You will recover in the fifth month.” Having finished speaking, he took his leave and departed. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month of that year, he returned again, kneeling, bowing, and inquiring after their wellbeing, entirely as when he was alive. He related that his maternal grandfather had become the Lord of Mount Tai. Seeing Zhi, [the Lord] called Zhi’s mother by name, saying, “Are you so-and-so’s child? You should not have come yet; how did you manage to arrive here?” Zhi answered, “My paternal uncle brought me here wishing to have me take his place in banishment [to punishment].” There was an order to investigate and interrogate him with the intent to flog and punish him, but Zhi rescued and exonerated him so that he obtained a pardon. Zhi’s elder brother Rong, courtesy name Siyuan, was then at his side. Zhi said to him, “Although I have left behind my former physical form, I reside in a place of superior joy. I only read books and have no other wishes. Brother, do not grieve any longer! Merely be diligent and vigorous, focus your mindfulness on cultivating goodness, and blessings will naturally accompany you. In two years, when my studies are complete, I am destined to be born into the family of a king. There are five hundred people of my cohort, presently in the Hall of Blessings; when their studies are complete, they will all be born above in the Sixth Heaven. Originally, I was also destined to be born above, but solely because of untangling and rescuing the entanglements of my ancestors’ causes and conditions, I alone will be born into a royal house.” On the seventh day of the seventh month of the fifth year, he returned again and stated, “Zhu City will surely suffer an invasion by bandits.” There were very many such matters, and all turned out as he had spoken. His family kept it secret, and therefore it was not transmitted to others. He also said, “Our ancestors have many sins and punishments; you ought to create blessings on their behalf. I have now received a body among humans and have no need for further arrangements; simply rescue our ancestors. It is my wish that my father and brother diligently perform meritorious deeds to create blessings. At meal times, you must ensure everything is fresh and pure. Those that are entirely in accordance with the Dharma will receive superior blessings; those that are secondary will receive secondary blessings. If you cannot act thus, it will merely be a wasted expenditure. You must bring about an impartial mind devoid of self and other; only then will the blessings be abundant.” At that time, Zuo had a female servant. Before Zhi had returned, she suddenly fell ill and was near death, aching all over her body. Zhi said, “This servant intended to run away, so earlier I gave her a flogging; she can no longer get away.” Zhi questioned the servant, who said, “Earlier, I truly intended to run away and had made an appointment with someone. As the day was close at hand, I then stopped,” and so forth.