andmaiden.' The lady followed her (in her dream), and soon
perceived a lake of immeasurable expanse, overspread with innumerable red
and white lotus flowers, of various sizes, some blooming, some fading. She
asked what those flowers might signify? The maiden replied: 'These are all
human beings on the earth whose thoughts are turned to the Land of
Enlightenment. The very first longing after the Paradise of Amita produces
a flower in the Celestial Lake, and this becomes daily larger and more
glorious, as the self-improvement of the person whom it represents
advances; in the contrary case, it loses in glory and fades away.'[2] The
matron desired to know the name of an enlightened one who reposed on one
of the flowers, clad in a waving and wondrously glistening raiment. Her
whilom maiden answered: 'That is Yangkie.' Then asked she the name of
another, and was answered: 'That is Mahu.' The lady then said: 'At what
place shall I hereafter come into existence?' Then the Blessed Soul led
her a space further, and showed her a hill that gleamed with gold and
azure. 'Here,' said she, 'is your future abode. You will belong to the
first order of the blessed.' When the matron awoke she sent to enquire for
Yangkie and Mahu. The first was already departed; the other still alive
and well. And thus the lady learned that the soul of one who advances in
holiness and never turns back, may be already a dweller in the Land of
Enlightenment, even though the body still sojourn in this transitory
world" (pp. 55-56).

What a singular counterpart the striking conclusion here forms to Dante's
tremendous assault on a still living villain,--or enemy!

--"che per sua opra
In anima in Cocito gia si bagna,
Ed in corpo par vivo ancor di sopra."
--_Infern._ xxxiii. 155.

Again: "I knew a man who during his life had killed many living beings,
and was at last struck with an apoplexy. The sorrows in store for his
sin-laden soul pained me to the heart; I visited him, and exhorted him to
call on the Amita; but he obstinately refused, and spoke only of
indifferent matters. His illness clouded his understanding; in consequence
of his misdeeds he had become hardened. What was before such a man when
once his eyes were closed? Wherefore let men be converted while there is
yet time! In this life the night followeth the day, and the winter
followeth the summer; that, all men are aware of. But that life is followed
by death, no man will consider. O