兩卷無量壽經宗要 1.5

1.5

Next, to clarify the auxiliary cause. Auxiliary causes are of many kinds; now we briefly clarify the ten recitations of the lower grade. The ten recitations of the lower grade taught in this sūtra contain two meanings within a single phrase: the explicit meaning and the implicit meaning. The implicit meaning is stated with reference to the third pair of pure lands [the purely pure land] as the fruition, explaining the merit of the ten recitations of the lower grade. This is as the Maitreya-paripṛcchā states: "At that time, the Bodhisattva Maitreya said to the Buddha: 'Just as the Buddha spoke of the meritorious benefits of the Buddha Amitābha, if one can recollect that Buddha with ten recitations in continuous succession, one immediately attains rebirth. How should one recollect?' The Buddha said: 'It is not the recollection of ordinary beings, not unwholesome recollection, and not recollection mingled with the fetters. Endowed with such recollection, one immediately attains rebirth in the land of Peaceful Nourishment. There are ten recitations in all. What are the ten? First, toward all sentient beings constantly generating a mind of loving-kindness, and toward all sentient beings not disparaging their conduct; if one disparages their conduct, one will never attain rebirth. Second, toward all sentient beings deeply generating a mind of compassion, eliminating thoughts of harming or injuring. Third, generating a mind to protect the Dharma without begrudging bodily life, not generating slander toward any dharma. Fourth, generating a resolute mind in patience. Fifth, a deeply pure mind, unstained by material gain. Sixth, generating the mind of sarvākārajñatā, constantly recollecting day after day without abandonment or forgetting. Seventh, toward all sentient beings generating a mind of reverence, eliminating thoughts of conceit, and speaking with humility. Eighth, toward worldly talk, not generating an attached mind. Ninth, drawing near to the factors of awakening, deeply generating various wholesome roots, conditions, and causes, distancing oneself from clamour and scattered thoughts. Tenth, right mindfulness contemplating the Buddha, leaving behind the senses.'" Commentary explains: Since such ten recitations are not those of ordinary beings, one should know that only bodhisattvas of the first bhūmi and above can possess these ten recitations, serving as the cause for the lower grade in the purely pure land. This is the ten recitations of the implicit meaning. As for the characteristics of the ten recitations of the explicit meaning, they are spoken of with reference to the fourth pair of pure lands. As the Guan jing states: "Regarding the lowest birth of the lowest grade, there may be sentient beings who commit unwholesome karma, the five heinous offenses and the ten unwholesome deeds, fully endowed with all unwholesome things. When approaching the end of life, they meet a good spiritual friend who expounds the wondrous Dharma for them and teaches them to be mindful of the Buddha; if they are unable to be mindful, they should recite the name of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life. With such utmost sincerity, causing the sound to be uninterrupted, fully completing ten recitations, calling 'Namo Buddhāya'. Because of calling the Buddha's name, in thought after thought they eliminate the sins of eighty billion eons of birth and death. After life ends, they immediately attain rebirth," and so on at length. With what kind of mind is it called utmost sincerity? What is called ten recitations in continuous succession? Master Kumārajīva said: Suppose a person in a wilderness encounters evil bandits brandishing spears and drawing swords, coming straight at him intent on killing him. The person flees urgently, seeing a river to cross. If he does not cross the river, his head and neck can hardly be preserved. At that time, he thinks only of the means to cross the river: "When I reach the riverbank, shall I cross with clothes on, or cross with clothes off? If I wear clothes and robes, I fear I cannot get across. If I take off clothes and robes, I fear there will be no time." Having only this thought and no other intention, that very thought of crossing the river is a single thought. Ten such thoughts do not intermingle with other thoughts. The practitioner is also like this: whether recollecting the Buddha's name or recollecting the Buddha's marks, uninterruptedly recollecting the Buddha up to ten recitations—such utmost sincerity is called ten recitations. This is the characteristic of the ten recitations of explicit meaning. Now, the ten recitations taught in this two-fascicle sūtra possess both of these meanings: implicit and explicit. However, within them, the ten recitations of explicit meaning differ slightly from the intent of the Guan jing. That Guan jing does not exclude the five heinous offenses, but only excludes the sin of slandering the Vaipulya [sūtras]. Now, in this two-fascicle sūtra, it states: "excluding those who commit the five heinous offenses and slander the True Dharma." Such a contradiction: how is it resolved? That sūtra speaks of those who, though committing the five heinous offenses, are able to repent relying on the Mahāyāna teaching; this sūtra speaks of those who do not repent. Due to this meaning, they are not contradictory. The characteristics of causes and conditions have been briefly expounded in this way. The two gates of fruition and cause expounded above combine to conclude the second part: discerning the essential doctrine.