無量壽經連義述文贊 2.33

2.33

On the passage in the sūtra from "at that time the World-Honoured One" to "his radiant countenance towering and majestic": The commentary states: This second [part] is the preface setting forth the occasion for preaching the sūtra. "All sense faculties joyfully delighted" is the mark of happiness. The five material sense faculties all display joy to signify that the Pure Land has uninterrupted joy. The character *yu* [豫, delighted] is also written as *yu* [悆]. "His appearance pure and clear" means without sorrow or affliction. His appearance is without gloom, signifying that the Buddha's land is free from all sufferings. "Towering and majestic" is an appellation for being tall and grand. "Radiant countenance" is a general term encompassing both the faculties and the appearance; thus it re-signifies that that land has joy and no suffering. "Appearance" [姿] means exquisite. This is just as both Bai [Yan] and [Zhi] Qian state: "His face had nine colors, with rays of light undergoing thousands of transformations, and the brightness of his radiant countenance was exceedingly great." Some say: The Buddha has no un-concentrated mind and is fully endowed with all the marks and characteristics of the faculties; at what time would the marks of his body not be joyful? It is merely because he wishes to encourage coming inquiries that he thereby signifies what is to be preached. This is incorrect. Although the Buddha is free from sorrow and joy, he displays smiles and delight; how could being fully endowed with all the marks lack the display of joy? Thus the World-Honoured One now displays joy because the virtues of the practices accomplished by that Buddha are worthy of celebration, and the time for sentient beings to obtain benefit is about to arrive.