觀無量壽佛經疏 1.16

1.16

The answer states: "The explanation has two meanings. First: those who slander the Dharma and lack faith, those in the eight conditions of hindrance, and non-humans—these do not receive it. They are like rotten timber or stubborn stone, which can never have a time of becoming moist with life. For such sentient beings, there is definitely no possibility of receiving transformation. Aside from them, all who with single-minded faith and joy aspire and vow to attain rebirth—at the highest, throughout a whole lifetime; at the lowest, including even ten recitations—by riding the power of the Buddha's vow, there are none who do not attain rebirth. This concludes the answer to the above question regarding which capacities can receive [the teaching]. Second, regarding from which passages it derives: there is the general and the specific. The general has three different meanings. What are they? First, from 'Vaidehī addressed the Buddha, saying: "I only wish that you would speak extensively for me of a place without sorrow and affliction,"' this is Vaidehī directing her mind to make a general request for what she sought. Second, from 'I only wish that the Sun of the Buddha would teach me to contemplate a place of pure karmic action,' this is Vaidehī making a general request for the practice to go [there]. Third, from 'The World-Honoured One manifested the lands upon a platform of light,' this is answering the earlier general request to 'speak extensively for me.' Although there are three different meanings, this concludes the answer regarding the general. As for the specific, there are two meanings: First, from 'Vaidehī addressed the Buddha, saying: "I now take joy in being born in the world of Sukhāvatī, the place of Amitābha Buddha,"' this is Vaidehī specifically selecting for herself what she sought. Second, from 'I only wish that you would teach me to reflect and teach me samāpatti,' this is Vaidehī specifically requesting to cultivate specific practices for herself. Although there are two different meanings, this concludes the answer to the specific above."