佛說觀無量壽佛經 1.39

1.39

he immediately attains birth on a seven-jeweled pond. After a day and night,

the lotus flower opens and, within seven days, the aspirant beholds the Buddha.

Although he sees the Buddha’s body, he is still unable to discern his phys-

ical characteristics and marks clearly. But after three weeks he sees them

distinctly, and also hears all the sounds and voices proclaiming the won-

derful Dharma. Then he can travel in all the ten directions to make offerings

to the buddhas and hear their profound teachings. After three smaller kalpas

he acquires clear understanding of the one hundred dharmas and dwells in

the stage of joy. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest

level of the highest grade. These three together are known as the contem-

plation of the highest grade of aspirants, and the fourteenth contemplation.

To practice in this way is called the correct contemplation, and to practice

otherwise is incorrect.”

25 The Buddha said to Ānanda and Vaidehī, “Those who attain birth on the

highest level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who keep the five

precepts, observe the eight abstinences, practice in compliance with various

precepts, and abstain from committing the five grave offenses and other

transgressions. They transfer the merit acquired to the Western Land of

Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.

“When such a person is about to die, Amitāyus appears before him, sur-

rounded by a host of monks and radiating a golden light. He then expounds

the truth of suffering, emptiness, impermanence, and no-self, and praises

renunciation of the world as the way to escape from suffering.

“Seeing this, the aspirant greatly rejoices and finds himself seated upon

a lotus flower. He kneels down, joins his palms, and worships the Buddha.

Before he raises his head he attains birth in the Land of Utmost Bliss, where

his lotus bud soon opens. When the flower opens, he hears various sounds and

voices extolling the Four Noble Truths. He immediately attains arhatship,

acquires the three kinds of transcendent knowledge and the six supernatural

powers, and realizes the eight samādhis of liberation. Such a person is called

one who attains birth on the highest level of the middle grade.

26 “Those who attain birth on the middle level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who observe for at least a day and a night the eight abstinences, the precepts for a novice, or the complete precepts of a monk or a nun, and do not violate any of the rules of conduct. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.

“When such an aspirant, perfumed by the virtue of observing the precepts, is about to die, he sees Amitāyus coming toward him with his attendants, radiating a golden light and carrying a seven-jeweled lotus flower. He hears a voice in the sky above praising him, saying, ‘Person of good deeds, since you are virtuous and have followed the teachings of the buddhas of the three periods, I have come to welcome you.’ The aspirant finds himself seated upon the lotus flower. The flower having closed, the aspirant is born on a jeweled pond of the Western Land of Utmost Bliss. After seven days the lotus bud unfolds, and he then opens his eyes. With joined palms he pays homage to the World-honored One, rejoices at hearing the Dharma, and reaches the stage of stream-winner (śrota-āpanna). After half a kalpa, he becomes an arhat. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the middle grade.