觀無量壽佛經疏 1.32

1.32

Regarding the middle-middle rank: various masters say that they are internal pṛthagjanas prior to the path of seeing. Why, then, does the Dhyāna Sūtra state: 'Receiving and upholding the precepts for one day and one night, they transfer the merit and vow to be reborn. When their life is about to end, seeing the Buddha, they immediately attain rebirth'? Relying on this textual proof, how could one say that this is an internal pṛthagjana? It is simply a pṛthagjana without goodness after the Buddha's decease whose life is prolonged for a day and night, who meets with a minor condition, receives these minor precepts, and transfers the merit, vowing to be reborn. Through the power of the Buddha's vow, they immediately attain rebirth. If we speak of lesser sages, there is also no hindrance to their going. But in this Dhyāna Sūtra, the Buddha spoke for ordinary beings; it does not concern sages.