觀無量壽佛經疏 1.24

1.24

First, regarding the explanations of the various masters: they first raise the three types of people of the superior grade. 'The superior-upper refers to bodhisattvas from the fourth bhūmi to the seventh bhūmi. How is this known? Because upon arriving there, they immediately attain the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas. The superior-middle refers to bodhisattvas from the first bhūmi to the fourth bhūmi. How is this known? Because upon arriving there, after one small kalpa, they attain the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas. The superior-lower refers to bodhisattvas from the gotra-bhūmi and above up to the first bhūmi. How is this known? Because upon arriving there, after three small kalpas, they first enter the first bhūmi. These three grades of people are all stations of birth for Great Vehicle noble beings.' Next, raising the three types of people of the middle grade, the various masters say: 'The middle-upper refers to persons of the three fruits. How is this known? Because upon arriving there, they immediately attain arhatship. The middle-middle refers to internal pṛthagjanas. How is this known? Because upon arriving there, they attain srotāpanna. The middle-lower refers to worldly good pṛthagjanas who, detesting suffering, seek rebirth. How is this known? Because upon arriving there, after one small kalpa, they attain the fruit of an arhat. These three grades pertain solely to Hinayāna noble beings and the like. The three types of people of the lower grade are pṛthagjanas newly studying the Great Vehicle, divided into three grades according to the gravity of their faults, sharing a single level. That they seek and vow to attain rebirth is not necessarily the case, as can be known.'