Master Bacheng: Sixty Years of Recitation, a Single Prayer for the West

Huiming|Northern Zhou (d. 569)

Master Huiming of Northern Zhou memorised the Lotus Sutra at fifteen and devoted himself to the repentance rites. Studying meditation with Chan master Fayin, the two walked one evening in a pine grove, talking and smiling as they set their vow westward. In the eleventh month of the third Tianhe year he sat cross-legged facing west reciting the Buddha's name; everyone present saw the Buddha come as he joined his palms and passed away amid uncanny fragrance and music. Eight days later Fayin too died seated, with the same auspicious signs.

Liu Chengzhi, styled Yimin|Eastern Jin (d. 410)

Liu Chengzhi of the Eastern Jin left office for Mount Lu, joining Huiyuan's Lotus Society to practise the Pure Land path together. In the samādhi of Buddha-recollection he repeatedly saw the Buddha's light, Amitābha's welcoming touch, and himself drinking the water of eight virtues in the jeweled pool. At the end he offered incense before the sacred images — first to Śākyamuni, then to Amitābha, and third to the Lotus Sutra: "By the power of this sutra I shall be reborn." He passed away facing west with palms joined; the fragrance lasted seven days.

Daoang|Sui–early Tang (Xiangzhou)

Master Daoang of Kaiyuan Monastery in Xiangzhou regularly lectured on the Lotus Sutra. Mid-lecture one day, a host of sages with banners and music descended from the sky, announcing that the Tuṣita heaven had come especially to welcome him. 'Heaven is the root of birth-and-death,' he replied; 'I have never aspired to it — my aspiration is the West alone.' They vanished. Presently music resounded from the west; he charged the assembly to 'recite Amitābha diligently and be born together in the pure land', the incense burner dropped from his hand, and he closed his eyes on the high seat. The source cites the Wangsheng lüezhuan.

Kejiu|Northern Song (d. after 1093)

Kejiu of Kaiyuan Monastery in Siming constantly recited the Lotus Sutra and was known as 'Master Jiu of the Lotus'. A close friend of Su Shi, he died without illness in 1093 and revived after three days, reporting that he had travelled in spirit to the Pure Land: what he saw matched the Contemplation Sutra exactly, and on the lotus platforms of the jeweled pool were written the names of those yet to be born — a purple-gold platform for the monk Xun (already born), golden platforms for Sun the Twelfth and for Kejiu himself, a silver platform for the nun Xu. Five years on, the nun died with fragrance filling her room; seven years on, Sun died to celestial music — each just as he had said.