法苑珠林 95.53

95.53

In the earlier Qi dynasty, during the Yongming era, at Gaozuo Temple in Yangdu, there was Shi Huijin. In his youth, he was brave and martial, roaming as an errant knight. At the age of forty, he suddenly awakened to the impermanence of life, and accordingly went forth. Consuming vegetarian food and wearing coarse cloth, he vowed to recite the Lotus Sūtra. Because he applied his mind so arduously, he would fall ill whenever he held the scrolls. He then made a vow to produce one hundred copies [of the scripture] to repent of his prior hindrances. When he had just gathered one thousand six hundred coins, bandits came demanding goods. Jin showed them the money intended for the scriptures; the bandits retreated in shame. Thereafter, he eventually completed the one hundred copies, and his illness was also healed. Having completed the recitation of the scripture and fulfilled his vow, he dedicated the merit of this recitation practice, wishing to be reborn in the Realm of Peace and Sustenance (Sukhāvatī). He heard a voice in the sky announcing to him, "Your vow has been fulfilled; you will certainly attain rebirth there." He passed away without illness at the age of over eighty. (The preceding verification is from the Mingxiang ji.)