Grand Master Fazhao
Grand Master Fazhao, whose social origins are not clearly known, lived in the Tang dynasty. In the second year of the Dali era, monastics and laypeople first came to know that he was staying at Yunfeng Monastery in Hengzhou, where he practiced with constant diligence.
One morning, during the morning meal, he saw in his bowl of porridge a vivid image of five-colored clouds. Within the clouds appeared a mountain monastery: to the northeast of the temple was a mountain range, and at its foot a stream. North of the stream was a stone gate. Inside that stone gate stood a great monastery with a sign reading, “Great Sage Bamboo Grove Monastery.” A few days later, he again saw in his porridge bowl the clear image of that large monastery, with gardens, ponds, lofty towers, and ten thousand Bodhisattvas within.
He asked learned elders about this vision. A senior monk said, “The manifestations of sages are inconceivable. But if we consider mountain geography, this should be the realm of Mount Wutai.” Hearing this, he wished to visit Wutai to see whether it was true.
In the fourth year of Dali, the Great Master established a Buddha-recitation practice assembly at Hù Dong Monastery. On the opening day, auspicious clouds spread over the practice site. In the clouds appeared palaces and pavilions. Amitabha Buddha and the two Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta manifested golden bodies whose radiance illumined the sky. Throughout Hengzhou city, common people who saw this set up incense tables and bowed in reverence. After lingering for a while, the scene disappeared. Because of this auspicious sign, many people gave rise to diligent Buddha-recitation. The practice assembly continued for five sessions.
One day, the Great Master met an old man who said, “You once intended to go to the Golden World at Mount Wutai to bow to Great Sage Manjushri. Why have you still not fulfilled that vow?” After speaking, the old man vanished. Prompted by this reminder, he prepared for travel and went with several Dharma companions to visit Wutai.
In the fifth year of Dali, on the sixth day of the fourth month, the Great Master and his companions arrived at Foguang Monastery in Wutai County. That night, around the fourth watch, he saw a strange light shining on his body from afar. He estimated the direction and followed it. After traveling fifty li, he reached a mountain range. At its foot was a stream; north of the stream was a stone gate. At the gate stood two youths who welcomed him, identifying themselves as Sudhana and Nanda.
Following the two youths, he came to a magnificent monastery with a sign reading, “Great Sage Bamboo Grove Monastery.” There were golden ground, jeweled trees, lotus ponds, and wondrous towers in solemn adornment. The realm was exactly like the image he had previously seen in his porridge bowl.
He entered the monastery and ascended the lecture hall. He saw Manjushri on the west and Samantabhadra on the east. Both were seated on lofty, beautiful lion thrones, teaching Dharma to ten thousand Bodhisattvas seated below in silent attention.
Fazhao stepped forward, bowed with utmost sincerity, then knelt and said: “Great Sage, in this latter age, ordinary beings are far removed from the Buddha, burdened with heavy karma and deep obstructions, with narrow understanding. Though we possess Buddha-nature, we do not know how to reveal it. The Buddha’s teachings are broad and vast. Which Dharma gate is most essential and easy to practice for swift liberation?”
Manjushri replied:
“In this age, this is precisely the right time for you to practice Buddha-recitation. Among practice methods, nothing surpasses Buddha-recitation together with cultivating merit and wisdom. In past ages, through contemplating the Buddha, reciting the Buddha, and making offerings to the Triple Gem, I attained All-Knowing Wisdom. All Dharma teachings – such as Prajna-paramita, vast and profound samadhi methods, and even all Buddhas – arise from Buddha-recitation. Therefore you should know: Buddha-recitation is the king among Dharma gates.”
Master Fazhao then asked:
“Great Sage, how should one recite?”
Manjushri taught:
“To the west of this world is Amitabha Buddha, the teacher of the Land of Ultimate Bliss. That World-Honored One’s vow-power is inconceivable. You should single-mindedly recite His name in uninterrupted continuity. Then at life’s end you will certainly attain rebirth and never fall back.”
After speaking, the two Great Sages both extended their golden hands to touch Fazhao’s head and said:
“Because you recite the Buddha, before long you will realize unsurpassed Bodhi. If good men and faithful women wish to become Buddhas quickly, nothing surpasses Buddha-recitation. They will certainly and swiftly ascend to perfect enlightenment.”
After receiving this prediction from the two Great Sages, Fazhao joyfully bowed, took leave, and withdrew.
The two youths then escorted him out. As soon as he passed through the gate and looked back, both people and scenery vanished. He immediately set up a stone marker at that place, then returned to Foguang Monastery.
On the thirteenth day of the fourth month, Great Master Fazhao and more than fifty monks went together to Vajra Cave and sincerely paid homage to the names of the thirty-five Buddhas. After only ten rounds of prostrations, he suddenly saw Vajra Cave become vast, pure, and magnificently adorned, with a lapis-lazuli palace where Manjushri and Samantabhadra were both present.
On another day, he went alone again to Vajra Cave, prostrated himself, and vowed to see the Great Sage. As he bowed down and raised his head, he suddenly saw an Indian monk who identified himself as Buddhapalita. This monk led him into a grand adorned hall with a sign reading, “Vajra Prajna Monastery.” The entire hall was filled with many rare and beautiful treasures, sparkling with light. Though he had seen such miracles many times, he still did not tell anyone.
In the twelfth month of that year, he entered a Buddha-recitation retreat at Huayan Monastery, resolved to fast and practice in fixed periods, and vowed rebirth in the Pure Land. On the first evening, on the seventh day, while reciting the Buddha’s name, he suddenly saw an Indian monk come in and say, “You have seen the realm at Mount Wutai. Why do you not share it so people may know?” After speaking, he vanished.
The next day, while reciting, the Indian monk appeared again and said the same thing. Fazhao replied, “It is not that I dare conceal sacred traces; I only fear that if I speak, people may not believe and will slander.” The Indian monk said, “Great Sage Manjushri is presently on this mountain, and yet people still slander. Why worry? You should transmit the realms you have seen to sentient beings, so that those who hear may arouse the Bodhi mind.” Fazhao followed this instruction, carefully recalled all he had seen, and recorded it for others.
The following year, Master Shik Huisui from Jiangdong, together with the Huayan Monastery sangha, accompanied Great Master Fazhao to Vajra Cave to worship the Buddha. Then they went to the place where he had erected the stone marker to view the old site. While the assembly stood there in reverent longing, they suddenly all heard the sound of a great bell ringing from the rock wall. Its tone was pure, resonant, and clearly cadenced. Everyone was astonished and acknowledged that Fazhao’s account was true.
Wanting all future visitors to arouse the Dharma mind, the monks used this occasion to carve the events he had heard and seen onto the cliff face. Later, a solemn monastery was built at that very place, still bearing the name Bamboo Grove Monastery in commemoration.
During Emperor Dezong’s reign, Great Master Fazhao established another Buddha-recitation assembly in Xingzhou, which also continued for five sessions. Each night the emperor and people in the palace heard clear Buddha-recitation sounds carried from afar. After sending people to investigate, they learned the sound came from the assembly at Xingzhou. The emperor then sent envoys with offerings to invite him to court.
He established a Buddha-recitation assembly in the imperial palace, also in five sessions. Therefore, people of that time called him the Dharma Master of Five Assemblies.
From then on, the Great Master practiced with relentless diligence day and night. One night he saw a figure who told him, “The lotus of your merit in the seven-jeweled pond of Ultimate Bliss has fully formed. In three years, its time to bloom will arrive. You should prepare.”
When the time came, the Great Master called the monks together and instructed them: “I am going to Ultimate Bliss. You must strive diligently in pure practice.” After speaking, he sat upright in stillness and passed away.