Records of Pure Land Sages (Part 2)

(Note: Below are ten true stories of Dharma Masters and monks who were successfully reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.)

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#6 – Eastern Jin Dynasty — Huigong, Sengguang, and Huilan

Huigong was a native of Fengcheng in Yuzhang (present-day Jiangxi). He joined the Lotus Society on Mount Lu, where he, together with Sengguang, Huilan, and others, studied the Buddha Dharma under Master Huiyuan.

Although Sengguang and the others were not as gifted in learning as Huigong, they were far more sincere and wholehearted in mindfulness of the Western Pure Land.

Huilan once said to Huigong, “Although you are diligent in study and have become widely learned, do you not remember the teaching in the sutras? ‘It is like a deaf man playing music. Though he delights others, he himself cannot hear it.’”

After hearing this, Huigong remained unconvinced and did not accept Huilan’s words.

During the following seven years, Huilan and the others passed away one after another and were reborn in the Pure Land. At the time of their rebirth, each manifested extraordinary and auspicious signs.

Five years later, Huigong became seriously ill and was near death. He sighed, saying, “How long will I continue wandering through the six realms of samsara? Amid the endless cycle of birth and death, where shall I ultimately find my true home?”

With tears streaming down his face, he bowed repeatedly, making a solemn vow to be reborn in the Pure Land. From that moment onward, his aspiration never wavered.

One day, he suddenly beheld Amitabha Buddha coming to receive him upon a golden lotus throne. He immediately felt himself seated upon that lotus. He also saw Huilan and the others within the radiance of the golden lotus platform. They said to him:

“Venerable Elder, your rebirth in the Pure Land has placed you among those of the highest grade. We cannot help but rejoice with deep happiness. We only regret that the conditions of this evil world of the Five Defilements delayed your coming, causing us to wait so long before meeting you here again.”

That same day, Huigong reported this extraordinary experience to the assembly. Filled with joy and renewed vigor, he peacefully passed away and was reborn in the Pure Land.

This occurred in the eleventh year of the Yixi era of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (415 CE).

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#7 – Eastern Jin Dynasty — Tanheng

Tanheng was a native of Hedong in present-day Shanxi. As a child, he took refuge under Master Huiyuan and left the household life. He became thoroughly versed in both the Buddhist scriptures and the classical writings of the secular world.

His virtue was lofty, and he lived a simple, solitary life apart from the crowd. Large herds of tame deer would often gather peacefully around the place where he sat in meditation.

After joining the Lotus Society on Mount Lu, he devoted himself single-mindedly to mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha and Buddha-recitation.

In the fourteenth year of the Yixi era of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (418 CE), he sat upright with his palms joined, recited the name of the Buddha in a loud voice, and peacefully passed away, attaining rebirth in the Pure Land.

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#8 – Liu Song Dynasty — Daojing

Daojing was born into the Wang family of Langya (present-day Zhucheng, Shandong). When his grandfather, Wang Ningzhi, was appointed Governor of Jiangzhou, the family came into close contact with Mount Lu. There, Daojing became a disciple of Master Huiyuan and left the household life.

By the age of seventeen, he had become widely versed in the sutras and treatises, and he was able to memorize ten thousand characters each day.

He often lamented that it was difficult to uphold the precepts perfectly. Aspiring to purify the six sense faculties, he devoted himself exclusively to the study and practice of the Vinaya, avoiding all miscellaneous studies, regarding it as the fundamental path for transcending birth and death.

Recognizing his steadfastness and integrity, Master Huiyuan highly praised him.

Daojing practiced mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha day and night without interruption. After Master Huiyuan entered Nirvana and was reborn in the Pure Land, Daojing withdrew to live in Ruoye Mountain.

In the first year of the Yongchu era of Emperor Wu of the Liu Song Dynasty (420 CE), he suddenly told the assembly, “My former teacher, Master Huiyuan, has come to inform me that the time for my rebirth has arrived. I am leaving now.”

He then sat upright in the proper posture, recited the name of Amitabha Buddha, and peacefully passed away, attaining rebirth in the Pure Land. Everyone present saw the room filled with brilliant light, which remained for a long time before gradually fading away. He was fifty-two years old.

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#9 – Liu Song Dynasty — Tanshun

Tanshun was a native of Huanglong. He left the household life in childhood and studied the Buddha Dharma under Master Kumarajiva. In his lectures on the various sutras, he skillfully expounded the profound principle that neither form nor emptiness should be clung to. Kumarajiva praised him, saying, “This disciple truly possesses extraordinary talent and exceptional spiritual capacity!”

Later, he went to Mount Lu and cultivated the Pure Land path. At that time, Liu Zunxiao, the Commandant of the Ningman region, built a monastery in Jiangling and invited Tanshun to reside there as abbot. Tanshun widely propagated the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi throughout the region.

In the second year of the Yuanjia era of Emperor Wen of the Liu Song Dynasty (425 CE), he bade farewell to the assembly, sat upright, and peacefully passed away, attaining rebirth in the Pure Land. At that time, a wonderful fragrance filled the entire room. He was seventy-nine years old.

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#10 – Liu Song Dynasty — Buddhabhadra

Buddhabhadra, whose name was translated into Chinese as Juexian (“Awakened Worthy”), was a native of Kapilavastu in India and a descendant of King Amrtodana. He left the household life as a novice while still young.

By the age of sixteen, he had extensively studied the various scriptures and had gained profound mastery of meditation and the Vinaya.

After the monk Zhiyan of the Later Qin traveled to the Western Regions, he invited Buddhabhadra to accompany him back to China. They arrived by sea at Qingzhou and later proceeded to Chang’an.

The Crown Prince of the Later Qin invited him to the Eastern Palace to expound the Buddha Dharma. There he also discussed the relationship between form and emptiness with Master Kumarajiva, and their discussions were in deep accord with the profound and subtle principles of the Dharma.

Later, he went to Mount Lu and joined Master Huiyuan’s Lotus Society. He translated the Buddha-Contemplation Samadhi Sutra, the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, the Treatise on Skillful Means in Cultivation, and a total of fifteen works.

In the sixth year of the Yuanjia era of Emperor Wen of the Liu Song Dynasty (429 CE), he recited the name of Amitabha Buddha and peacefully passed away, attaining rebirth in the Pure Land.

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#11 – Liu Song Dynasty — Daobing

Daobing, whose lay surname was Chen, was a native of Yingchuan, Henan. He left home to become a monk at a young age and became a disciple of Master Huiyuan. He was well-versed in both the sutras and the Vinaya. Throughout his life, his words and actions were always in harmony, and his understanding was matched by his practice. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to investigating and cultivating the Buddha-Recitation Samadhi, practicing diligently day and night without interruption.

In the 14th year of Yixi during the reign of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin (418 CE), Wang Qian, the Governor of Yuzhang, entered the mountain to pay his respects and invited Master Daobing to succeed Master Huiyuan as the leader of the assembly. Because of his noble virtue, he was sincerely respected and admired by everyone.

In the 22nd year of Yuanjia during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Liu Song Dynasty (445 CE), he gathered the assembly to recite the Buddha’s name. Afterward, he took his seat, continued reciting Amitabha Buddha’s name, and was reborn in the Pure Land. He was seventy-one years old.

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#12 – Liu Song Dynasty — Sengrui

Sengrui was a native of Changle in Weijun. From an early age, he delighted in leaving home to cultivate the Buddhist path. However, it was not until he reached the age of eighteen that he finally obtained permission to fulfill his aspiration. He then became a disciple of Master Sengxian.

By his twenties, he had already gained extensive mastery of the sutras and treatises. He traveled throughout many renowned cities, expounding the Dharma wherever he went. Later, when Kumarajiva arrived in Guanzhong, Sengrui obtained from him the two-volume Essential Explanation of the Methods of Meditation Sutra (Chan Fa Yao Jie Jing).

After receiving this sutra, Sengrui practiced it diligently day and night. Through his devoted cultivation, he became thoroughly proficient in the Five Methods for Calming the Mind and skillfully entered the Six Tranquilities. He also assisted in proofreading the sutras translated by Master Kumarajiva.

Later, he joined the White Lotus Society at Mount Lu and took refuge under Master Huiyuan, cultivating the Pure Land Dharma Door. Eventually, he went to the capital and resided at Wuyi Monastery, where he lectured on various Buddhist scriptures. All who listened deeply admired and respected him.

Throughout his life, Master Sengrui maintained pure moral discipline and impeccable monastic conduct. He widely propagated and praised the Buddha’s teachings, constantly dedicating the merit of these wholesome deeds and aspiring to be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

In his daily life—whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down—he never dared to turn his back toward the western direction.

In the 16th year of Yuanjia during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Liu Song Dynasty (439 CE), although he was in perfect health, he suddenly gathered the assembly to bid them farewell. He then entered his room, bathed, burned incense, and paid homage to the Buddha. Afterward, he returned to his seat, faced the west, joined his palms together, and passed away peacefully to be reborn in the Pure Land.

On that same day, the monks of the monastery all witnessed five-colored fragrant clouds of incense drifting out from Master Sengrui’s room. He was sixty-seven years old.

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#13 – Liu Song Dynasty — Tanshen

Tanshen was a native of Guangling, Jiangsu. From childhood, he followed Master Huiyuan and left home to become a monk. He diligently cultivated the Pure Land Dharma Door and was also skilled in lecturing on the Buddhist scriptures.

He wrote a commentary on the Vimalakirti Sutra, which became widely circulated during his time. He also compiled the Records of the White Lotus Society (Lian She Lu), recording the miraculous accounts of those who attained rebirth in the Pure Land.

In the 17th year of Yuanjia during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Liu Song Dynasty (440 CE), he gathered the assembly and said:

“Since the founding of Donglin Monastery on Mount Lu, fifty years have now passed. Today, as I depart westward for rebirth, I am the last among my fellow practitioners to do so.”

After speaking, he sat in the full lotus posture, recited the Buddha’s name one hundred times, then peacefully ceased breathing and was reborn in the Pure Land. He was eighty years old.

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#14 – Liu Song Dynasty — Huichong

Huichong was a native of Liangzhou, Gansu. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Wei (386–408 CE), he served as the instructor of Han Wande, the Minister of State. Together with Shi Shigao, he was highly respected and honored throughout the country.

Later, an incident occurred in which Crown Prince Huang incurred the emperor’s displeasure. The case implicated both Shi Shigao and Huichong, and they were consequently executed.

At that time, there was a monk named Fada, who had always deeply admired Shi Shigao’s virtue. Upon hearing of the execution, he wept bitterly in grief and longing, and for several days was unable to eat or drink.

Then, Shi Shigao suddenly appeared in the sky before him. Fada immediately bowed in reverence and respectfully asked where Masters Shigao and Huichong had been reborn.

Shi Shigao replied:

“I vowed to be reborn in this evil world of the Five Defilements in order to rescue and protect all sentient beings. Therefore, I have now returned once again to this Jambudvipa world. Master Huichong, however, constantly aspired with all his heart to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. Now, his aspiration has been fulfilled.”

After speaking these words, Shi Shigao disappeared from sight.

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#15 – Liu Song Dynasty — Tanjian, Daohai, Huikan, Huigong, Tanhong, Daoguang, and Daoguang

Tanjian was a native of Jizhou, Hebei, and his lay surname was Zhao. He left home at a young age and became a disciple of Master Zhu Daozu. He lived a simple life, eating plain food and wearing coarse cloth garments. He strictly upheld the precepts and practiced with diligence and perseverance.

Later, he traveled extensively to propagate the Buddha’s teachings. Beginning in Jingzhou, he eventually settled at Xin Monastery in Jiangling, by which time he was already over sixty years old.

Whenever he performed even the smallest wholesome deed, he dedicated the merit toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land, vowing to personally behold Amitabha Buddha.

One day, while in deep meditative concentration, he saw Amitabha Buddha, who sprinkled pure water upon his face and said:

“I cleanse away your defilements, purify your mind, and make the karma of your body and speech completely pure and adorned.”

Then, Amitabha Buddha produced a lotus flower from a vase and presented it to Tanjian.

After emerging from meditation, Tanjian made arrangements for his final affairs and spoke with the monks of the monastery about the impermanent nature of worldly life.

Late that night, after the other monks had returned to their rooms to rest, Tanjian continued walking alone beneath the monastery corridors, reciting Amitabha Buddha’s name. He continued chanting until the fifth watch of the night, his voice becoming ever stronger and more resonant.

At dawn, his disciples came as usual to pay their respects to their teacher. They found him still seated upright in the full lotus posture. Upon approaching more closely, they discovered that he had already passed away and been reborn in the Pure Land. He was seventy years old.

At that time, there were also Master Daohai of Jiangling, Master Huikan of Beizhou, Master Huigong of Dongzhou, Master Tanhong of Huainan, Master Daoguang of Dongyuan Mountain, and Master Daoguang of Hongnong. All of them aspired to be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, and at the time of their passing, each manifested auspicious signs of rebirth.

(Note: If you want to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, get a prayer beads and diligently, persistently, and consistently chant Amitabha Buddha’s name every single day until the moment you pass away. You will surely attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death in the six realms of reincarnation! But your heart must always be with Amitabha Buddha. Keep him in your mind at all times, especially at the moment when you are about to pass away.)

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