妙法蓮華經文句 8.2

8.2

From "gradually perfecting the bodhisattva [path]" downward is the second [part], conferring the prophecy. The text has seven parts: first, clarifying the perfection of causes; second, from "passing immeasurable [kalpas]" downward, clarifying the fulfillment of the fruit; third, clarifying the expanse and purity of the land; fourth, clarifying the names of the land and the kalpa; fifth, clarifying the span of the Buddha's lifespan; sixth, clarifying the great duration of the Dharma's abiding; seventh, clarifying the worship of relics after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa. In the third [part], on the expanse and purity of the land, there are five aspects: first, clarifying the great adornment and purity of the land. Regarding "the ground flat as a palm," the sūtra simply says "as a palm" and does not say "a hand's palm." A hand's palm is not flat and therefore is not what is cited. At the bottom of the sea there is a stone named "Palm"; this stone has not a single dust-mote's unevenness, so it should be analogous to the sea-palm. Also, the Bhadrakalpika-sūtra specifically clarifies that it is like a buddha's palm, not citing a human palm. Second, clarifying that there are purely good destinies. Third, clarifying that humans and devas are complete in merit and wisdom; the Candragarbha-[sūtra], chapter nine, speaks of Dharma-food, joy-food, and dhyāna-food; while the sūtra text generally speaks of Dharma-joy and dhyāna-delight, individually differentiated there should be three distinct kinds. Fourth, clarifying that the multitudes of bodhisattvas and śrāvakas are extremely numerous. Fifth, the general conclusion. The Candragarbha-[sūtra], chapter five, says: "Not killing attains ten merits: first, attaining fearlessness toward all sentient beings, up to the tenth, at the end of life being born in a good destiny and later becoming a buddha, in whose land there are no harmful weapons and the people of the land enjoy long life. Not stealing has ten merits: first, the retributions are complete and great, being decisive in affairs without difficulty or obstruction, up to the tenth, dying and being born in a good destiny, later becoming a buddha whose land is filled with floral and jeweled adornments. Not committing sexual misconduct has ten merits: first, discipline over the faculties and being decisive in affairs, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, later becoming a buddha whose land has no women. Not lying has ten merits: first, sentient beings believe one's words, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, later when becoming a buddha the land has no foul impurity and is constantly filled with precious flowers. Not engaging in divisive speech has ten merits: first, the body is indestructible, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, later becoming a buddha whose retinue Māra cannot destroy. Not using harsh speech attains ten merits: first, gentle speech, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, becoming a buddha whose land is filled with the sound of Dharma. Not engaging in frivolous speech has ten merits: first, being loved and respected by humans and devas, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, becoming a buddha whose land's sentient beings have powerful memory without forgetting. Not being covetous has ten merits: first, the bodily faculties are not lacking, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, becoming a buddha whose land has no māras or non-Buddhists. Not having anger has ten merits: first, being free from all anger, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, becoming a buddha whose land's people attain samādhi. Not having wrong views has ten merits: first, the mind's nature is gentle and good, up to dying and being born in a good destiny, becoming a buddha whose land's people have correct faith."