Ascertain

rebirth by self-validation or communal accord?

Sing Song Liu
National Cheng-Chi University
ssliu@ms2.hinet.net

Abstract

It is found in the Epitaph of Yun-chi Chu-hong ( 1535-1615)
written by Wu Yin-bin ( 1565-1634): The so-called celestial music and/or
extra-ordinary scent hanging in the air () is not the requisite for the
rebirth to Pure Land. Why is that? It is said that, on one hand, this auspicious
indication is caused by the communal sign from store consciousness (
layavijna) of sentient beings in accord with the Buddha or bodhisattva (
), on the other hand, one before dying could not inwardly accuse himself (
), which is rare to be seen in life [as Confucius said], how the ugly countenance
could be led to the good communal accord. If so, there is no one will go to hell.

Wu suggested that the rebirth to the Pure Land in Rebirth Narratives (
) is simply signified by the realization of mindfulness before dying ()
rather than by the validation of matching category. () Then it seems
that the so-called auspicious sign before dying () could be observed in
two aspects: from personal and/or from others. The study will investigate the
discourses of Chu-hong for the further comparison to shed light on the thought
and beliefs of rebirth in Late Ming.

Key words:

SS Liu Dec. 2014