無量壽經連義述文贊 3.3

3.3

On the sūtra passage from 'the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions' to 'slandering the correct Dharma': The Commentary states: This is the second [part], presenting the praise of all Buddhas to increase sentient beings' resolve to be reborn [there]. Since all Buddhas speak in shared praise, those who hear the name and desire rebirth will certainly attain rebirth. Some say: Because this sūtra is based on the determinedly correct assembly, it excludes [those who commit] the [five] grave offenses and slander the Dharma; whereas in the Visualization Sūtra, because it concerns those born from the determinedly false assembly, even [those of] the five grave offenses are reborn. This is not correct. If it were as they say, those of the lowest level of the lowest grade born in that Pure Land would not belong to the determinedly correct assembly. Some say: Although they commit the five grave offenses, if they practice the sixteen contemplations they will attain rebirth; this is the intention of that sūtra. If they are unable to practice the sixteen contemplations, though they perform other good deeds they will definitely not attain rebirth; hence this sūtra excludes them. This is also not correct. Those of the lowest level of the lowest grade do not practice the sixteen contemplations, so this necessarily contradicts that sūtra. Now as for this text, because it was already explained earlier, it needs no further comment. As for the earlier [mention of] 'ten thoughts' and here 'one thought', they are stated in complementary alternation between the minimum and the maximum, and thus do not contradict each other.