大唐內典錄 10.53

10.53

At the beginning of the Kaihuang era of the Sui, there was a monk of Yangzhou whose name has been forgotten. He could recite the Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra fluently and took pride in it as his life's vocation. In a village below the eastern mountain of Qizhou, there was a novice monk who recited the Guanyin-sūtra. Both died abruptly, and the regions below their hearts remained warm. Together they arrived at the dwelling of Yamarāja. Thereupon, the novice monk was placed on a high golden seat, and [Yamarāja] treated him with great reverence; the Nirvāṇa monk was placed on a high silver seat, and the reverence shown him was not deep. When the matter was concluded and the records were investigated, both still had remaining lifespans, and both were released to return. That Nirvāṇa monk felt deep resentment in his heart; relying on the vast amount he had recited, he asked where the novice monk lived. Thereupon, the two took leave of each other and noted their respective locations. Coming from the south to Qi, he searched for and found him, inquiring fully into the reason. The novice monk said: 'Whenever I recite the Guanyin[-sūtra], I use separate robes, stay in a separate place, burn incense, and pronounce vows; only then do I recite. I never slacken in this method, and have no other art.' That monk apologized, saying: 'My transgressions are grave! In reciting the Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra, my deportment was disorderly, and my body and speech were impure; I only sought to avoid forgetting. The words left by the ancients say: "Abundant evil is not equal to a small amount of good." Today I have obtained verification of this.' Repenting of the past, he returned.