無量壽經連義述文贊 1.19

1.19

The sūtra says: "dwelling in Tuṣita Heaven and widely proclaiming the true Dharma." The commentary states: This subsequent part provides specific praises. There are nine: first, leaving here and ascending to heaven; second, descending with spiritual presence into the womb; third, emerging from the womb with extraordinary signs; fourth, having complete skills and vast understanding; fifth, displaying arts and taking a wife; sixth, renouncing secular life and following ascetics; seventh, subduing Māra and attaining enlightenment; eighth, the Dharma transformation being universally pervasive; ninth, returning to truth and benefiting creatures. This is the first of these. "Dwelling in Tuṣita Heaven" refers to ascending to heaven. "Widely proclaiming the true Dharma" means that the transformations fully reach the heavenly hosts. In Sanskrit, it is Tuṣitadeva, translated here as the Heaven of Joyful Contentment. The buddhas always practice the middle way, which is why all bodhisattvas are born in this heaven. As stated in the Zhuangyan jing: "Having previously renounced the householder's life following the buddhas under hundred billions of nayutas of koṭis of buddhas; having practiced great giving under fifty hundred billion nayutas of koṭis of buddhas; having already drawn near to three hundred and fifty koṭis of pratyekabuddhas; having already instructed and transformed immeasurable asaṃkhyeyas of śrāvaka assemblies, causing them all to abide in correct expedients; wishing to realize unexcelled enlightenment, he then advanced to the stage of being bound to one more birth. Ending his life from here, he was born in Tuṣita Heaven as a son of heaven there named Pure Banner. Sons of heaven numbering hundreds of thousands of koṭis of nayutas gathered in a great assembly in the Dharma hall, surrounding the bodhisattva to hear and receive the unexcelled great Dharma he proclaimed, severing all afflictions and generating a vast aspiration."