法苑珠林 95.48

95.48

Lady Fei, the wife of Luo Yu of the Song dynasty, was a native of Ningshu. Her father, Yue, was the Regional Inspector of Ningzhou under the Song. From youth, Fei was reverent and faithful; she recited the Lotus Sūtra for several years, diligent and tireless. Later, she suddenly fell ill with intense pain in her heart, hanging on to life. The whole family was terrified; they placed a silk thread [under her nose to test for breath] and awaited her moment of death. Lady Fei thought in her heart: 'I have recited the sūtra with diligence and toil; there ought to be wholesome protection. I hope I will not reach death from this.' Soon, while lying asleep for the time of a meal, in a state between waking and dreaming, she saw the Buddha extend his hand through the window and rub her heart. Immediately, she was completely cured. The whole household—men, women, and servants—all beheld a golden light and also smelled a fragrant scent. Yu's female cousin was the maternal great-grandmother of Yan, the wife of Fei Yin, Director in the Bureau of War of the Department of State Affairs. At that time, visiting the sickbed, she also fully heard and saw it. Thereupon she gave rise to great faith and awakening, reverently observing the precepts until the end of her life, and always used this auspicious omen to inspire and transform her sons and nephews.