法苑珠林 97.66

97.66

Wang Zhihong of Langye during the Tang served as magistrate of Hechuan County in Qinzhou during the Zhenguan period. He had a daughter who married Cui Gui of Boling. Gui happened to fall ill and die in Hechuan. Several tens of days after his death, his family suddenly heard Gui's voice in the middle of the night. At first, the entire family was terrified, but afterwards they became accustomed to it. They heard him say: 'Gui is a son-in-law; although it is not fitting to set up a spirit altar at the wife's family home, because of the suffering of having nothing to rely on, please just set one up for me.' The wife complied with his request, providing food morning and evening and not allowing meat to be set out, ordering only vegetarian food to be served. He constantly urged them to pay homage to the Buddha and not allow for negligence. He also spoke in detail about affairs in the hells, saying: 'Throughout their lifetime, humans often fail to avoid taking life and being unfilial; other transgressions are rather minor.' He further said: 'Although Gui is without guilt, he requires vast assistance from merits; please set up vegetarian feasts and offerings several times for Gui, and copy three or two copies each of scriptures such as the Lotus Sūtra, the Diamond Prajñā, and the Avalokiteśvara Sūtra. Together with past merit, it will be as if I have obtained salvation. From this time forward, I will not come again.' The Wang family followed his words entirely, copying the scriptures and providing the offerings. Gui suddenly returned again to express his gratitude, thereupon saying: 'Now I take my leave.' The entire family wept and saw him off. Gui had a posthumous son who was already four or five years old. He said: 'This son of Gui will surely have an official career; please raise him well.' From that time forward, he did not come again. (The above evidential miracle is seen from Wang's own account.)