無量壽經連義述文贊 2.222

2.222

Regarding the sūtra saying from “the palaces and halls where they reside” down to “the path of nirvāṇa,” the commentary states: This latter part is the excellence of the environmental retribution. This is brought about by the vow-power of the magnificent adornment of the myriad things, clothing according with thought, and so forth. Both Bai Yan and Zhi Qian say: “When Amitābha Buddha and all the bodhisattvas and arhats wish to eat, naturally there appear tables of the seven jewels, and fine kapparpāsa cotton cloths for their seats; if they desire sweet or sour, it is as they wish.” That it is absent now is presumably an omission for brevity. Mentioning only “seeing color and smelling fragrance,” one knows that in that land, taste and touch are not food, because they are not swallowed. Some say: “Color is not separate from food; therefore it says 'seeing color,' which in essence comprises the three sense-objects.” This is incorrect. If they do not consume it, how could it be taste and touch? For what is tasted is called food. “Subsequent” means close, because there is no suffering to serve as a cause. This is the retribution for the vow of bliss like the extinction of outflows.