唐并州僧惟岸
[14] Táng [Dynasty’s] Bìngzhōu’s Monastic Wéi’àn
惟岸，专修十六观。
Wéi’àn, focused [on] cultivation [of the] sixteen contemplations.
因出，见观音、势至二菩萨现于空中，迟久不灭。
Because [of going] out, [he] saw Contemplator [Of] Sounds [and] Power Arrived, [these] two Bodhisattvas appearing within [the] sky, [for a] long time not disappearing.
岸顶礼雨泪而叹曰：「幸由肉眼得见圣容，所恨后世无传。」
Àn prostrated [as he] rained [with] tears and exclaimed, ‘[I am] fortunate to, [with my] flesh eyes attain sight [of the] noble [ones’] appearances, [but with] that resented [being] later generations [are] without [them transmitted.’
忽有二人，自称画工，未展臂间，圣相克就。已而人亦不见。
Suddenly, [there] were two persons, self-claiming [to be] painters. Within [the] time interval yet [to] extend [one’s] arm, [the] noble [ones’] images [were] captured right away. Not long [after, these] persons also disappeared.
弟子怪而问之，岸曰：「此岂画工哉？」
[When his] disciples [thought this was] strange and asked [about] them, Àn said, ‘How can these [be] painters?’
又曰：「吾之西行，乃其时也。弟子有从我者，当明言之。」
Also saying, ‘Of my going [to the] West, thus [is] this [the] time. [If there] are those disciples following me, [you] should clearly say it.’
[Note 1: Although it was not a must that those following should say so, it will help inspire others, including us now.]
小童子云：「从师而往。」
[A] small child said, ‘[I will] follow [the] master and [be] reborn.’
岸曰：「必能从我，可归告父母。」
Àn said, ‘[As you] definitely [will be] able [to] follow me, [you] can return [to] tell [your] father [and] mother [this].’
[Note 2: This is possible only if he also has the Three Provisions (of Faith, Aspiration and Practice) ready, like the Master. In this sense, he was not really following the Master, but on his own journey. As the below shows, he even went ahead before the Master. What he was following was his Master’s example, as inspired by him.]
父母闻而笑骂之。子乃归寺，香汤沐浴，于阿弥陀佛像前趺坐而往。
[When his] father [and] mother heard [this, they] then laughed [and] scolded him. [The] child then returned [to the] monastery, [and with] fragrant hot water bathed. Before Amitā[bha] Buddha’s image, seated [in the] lotus posture, [he was] then reborn [in Pure Land].
人或告岸，岸抚其背曰：「汝事吾者，何乃先去？」
[When a] person perhaps told Àn [about this], Àn gently patted his back [and] said, ‘[As] you [are supposed to] serve me, why then [did you] first go?’
遂索笔焚香，向所画菩萨前作偈云：「
Thereupon, [he] asked [for a] brush [and] burnt incense. Towards those painted Bodhisattvas, before [them, he] wrote [these] verses,
观音助远接，势至辅遥迎。
宝瓶冠上显，化佛顶前明。
俱游十方刹，持华候九生。
愿以慈悲手，提奖共西行。」
‘[May] Contemplator [Of] Sounds [Bodhisattva] help, [from] afar receive, [and] Power Arrived [Bodhisattva] assist, [from a] distance welcome. [With] treasure vase [on the] crown above revealed, [and] manifested Buddha [on the] crown’s front clear. Together travelling [in the] ten directions’ lands, holding flowers, waiting [for those with the] nine [grades’] births. May [all], with [your] hands [of] loving-kindness [and] compassion, carrying [and] supporting, together go [to the] West.’
遂令弟子助声念佛，仰目西顾而亡。
Thereupon, [he] ordered [his] disciples [to have] support-chanting [of the] Buddha[‘s name]. Looking upwards, [with his] eyes looking [to the] West, [he] then departed.
宋‧王日休
《龙舒净土文》
第五卷： 感应事迹三十篇
Sòng [Dynasty’s] Wáng Rìxiū
Lóngshū’s Pure Land Text:
Fifth Scroll: Thirty Essays [On] Deeds [Of] Connection [And] Response
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
上篇
Previous Essay:
唐睦州僧少康
[13] Táng Dynasty’s Mùzhōu’s Monastic Shǎokāng
https://purelanders.com/2022/01/27/13-tang-dynastys-muzhou-monastic-shaokang
下篇
Next Essay:
唐长安尼净真
[15] Táng Dynasty’s Cháng’ān’s Bhikṣuṇī Jìngzhēn
https://purelanders.com/2022/01/27/15-tang-dynastys-changan-bhik%e1%b9%a3u%e1%b9%87i-jingzhen
三十篇
Thirty Essays:
《龙舒净土文》
第五卷：感应事迹三十篇
Lóngshū’s Pure Land Text:
[5] Fifth Scroll: Thirty Essays On Deeds Of Connection And Response
https://purelanders.com/longshu5
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