Rebirth of Lady Ren of the Song Dynasty

Lady Ren was the wife of Zhong Li and the mother of Zhong Lijin (from Kuai Ji), who was the Prefect of Kaifeng during the Song Dynasty. Lady Ren was devoted to the Pure Land dharma gate throughout her life. She carved a statue of Amitabha Buddha from sandalwood and frequently bowed to and circumambulated it with reverence. At the age of 98, she was able to go about her day and carry out her daily routine just as before.

One day, she advised her son, Zhong Lijin, saying, “Everyone has an Amitabha within: it is a shame that we abandon it. Everywhere is essentially Sukhavati (the Western Pure Land), yet we fail to understand this and thus cannot return. I am about to be reborn; I hope you will remember to recite the Buddha's name." The next day, Lady Ren got up in the morning, burned incense as an offering, and recited Amitabha Buddha’s name. After a while, she attained rebirth with her palms joined.  (The Buddha’s Chronicle)

- Excerpt from ‘Records of the Pure Land Sages’