無量壽經連義述文贊 2.56

2.56

經曰「佛告阿難至無央數劫」者，述云：第六、如來廣說。有二：初、廣說如來淨土因果，即所行所成也；後、廣顯眾生往生因果，即所攝所益也。初又有二：初、說往淨土之因；後、說今佛土之果。初又有二：初、總標勝緣；後、別申勝行。初又有二：初、標遠緣；後、舒近緣。初又有三：此初、標時也。有說：至不可數名劫。西域數法，至六十轉即不可數故。非也。雖復可數，亦名劫故。亦違《華嚴》一百二十轉故。今即劫者是時之總名故。梵云阿僧祇，此云無央數。王逸云「央，盡也。」說文「鞅，頸靼也。」非此字體也。又鞅所以制牛馬也，宜從央也。

The sūtra says: from “The Buddha told Ānanda” to “countless kalpas ago.” The commentary states: Sixth, the Tathāgata expounds in detail. There are two parts: first, expounding in detail the causes and fruits of the Tathāgata's Pure Land, which are what he practiced and accomplished; later, extensively revealing the causes and fruits of sentient beings’ rebirth, which are what is gathered in and benefited. The first also has two parts: first, explaining the causes of rebirth in the Pure Land; later, explaining the fruits of the present Buddha-land. The first also has two parts: first, generally indicating the superior conditions; later, specifically setting forth the superior practices. The first also has two parts: first, indicating the distant conditions; later, extending to the proximate conditions. The first also has three parts; this is the first, indicating the time. Some say: Reaching the uncountable is called a kalpa, because in the counting system of the Western Regions, reaching the sixtieth transformation is the uncountable. This is not correct. Even what is countable is also called a kalpa, and this would also contradict the Avataṃsaka's hundred and twenty transformations. Here, kalpa is simply the general name for time. In Sanskrit it is asaṃkhya; here it is translated as “countless” (無央數). Wang Yi says: “Yang means exhausted.” The Shuowen says: “Yang is a leather neck-strap.” It is not this character form. Furthermore, since a strap is what restrains cattle and horses, it is fitting to use yang (央) [without the leather radical].