When Kia-chang had finished this long catalogue of good works, he was ordered to read it aloud. After hearing it, the religious crossed their hands and loaded the Master with congratulations. Then he said to them:--“The moment of my death approaches; already my mind grows feeble and seems to be on the point of quitting me. Distribute at once in alms my clothes and goods; let statues be fabricated; and order the religious to recite some prayers.” On the twenty-third day, a meal was given to the poor, at which alms were distributed. On the same day, he ordered a moulder named Song-kia-tchi, to raise, in the Kia-cheou-tien palace, a statue of the Intelligence (Buddha); after which he invited the population of the convent, the translators, and his disciples, to bid “a joyous farewell to that impure and contemptible body of Hiouen-thsang, who, having finished his work, merited no longer existence. I desire,” he added, “to see poured back upon other men the merits which I have acquired by any good works; to be born with them in the heaven of the Touchitas; to be admitted into the family of _Mi-le_ (_Mâitrêya_); and to serve the Buddha, full of tenderness and affection. When I shall return to earth to pass through other existences, I desire, at each new birth, to discharge with boundless zeal my duties towards the Buddha, and finally to arrive at the Transcendent Intelligence (_Anouttara samyak sambôdhi_).” After having made these adieux, he was silent, and engaged in meditation; then with his dying tongue he faltered forth his bitter regret that he did not enjoy more of the “world of the eyes” (the faculty of seeing), of the “world of the thought” (the faculty of thinking), of “the world of the knowledge which springs from observation” (the knowledge of sensible objects); of the “world of the knowledge which springs from the mind”--_l’esprit_ (the perception of spiritual things); and that he did not possess the fulness of the Intelligence. Finally, he pronounced two _gubhas_, which he caused to be repeated to the persons near him:-- “Adoration to _Maitrêya Tathagata_, gifted with a sublime intelligence! I desire, with all men, to see your affectionate visage. “Adoration to _Maitrêya Tathagata_! I desire, when I quit this life, to be born again in the midst of the multitude who surround you.” The Master of the Law, after having long fixed his gaze upon Te-hoeï, the sub-director of the convent (_Karmmadana_), raised his right hand to his chin and his left upon his breast; then he stretched out his legs, crossed them, and lay down on the right side. He remained thus, immovable, without taking anything, until the fifth day of the second moon. In the middle of the night his disciples asked him: “Master, have you at length obtained to be born in the midst of the assembly of _Maitrêya_?” “Yes,” he replied, with a failing voice. And having spoken, his breathing grew rapidly weaker, and in a few moments, his soul passed away.