觀無量壽佛經疏 1.40

1.40

Answer: 'The defilements of sentient beings are heavy and their wisdom is shallow and near. The sage's intent is vast and deep—how could one presume to decide it arbitrarily! Now, taking the Buddha's own words one by one as clear proof, within this proof there are precisely ten statements. Which are they? First, as the Dhyāna Sūtra says: "The Buddha told Vaidehī: 'I shall now explain many parables for you in detail, and also enable all pṛthagjanas in future generations who wish to cultivate pure karma to attain rebirth in the western Land of Ultimate Bliss'"—this is the first proof. Second, it says: "The Tathāgata now expounds the pure karma for all sentient beings of future generations who are harmed by the thieves of afflictions"—this is the second proof. Third, it says: "The Tathāgata now teaches Vaidehī and all sentient beings of future generations to contemplate the western World of Ultimate Bliss"—this is the third proof. Fourth, it says: "Vaidehī addressed the Buddha: 'Now, by the Buddha's power, I see that land. If after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa sentient beings are defiled, wicked, unwholesome, and afflicted by the five sufferings, how shall they see that Buddha-land?'"—this is the fourth proof. Fifth, as said at the beginning of the sun contemplation: "The Buddha told Vaidehī: 'You and sentient beings should single-mindedly focus...' down to 'unless they are born blind, all sentient beings endowed with eyes see the sun'"—this is the fifth proof. Sixth, as said in the contemplation of the ground: "The Buddha told Ānanda: 'Hold these words of the Buddha, and for all sentient beings of future generations who wish to be liberated from suffering, expound this method of contemplating the ground'"—this is the sixth proof. Seventh, as said in the lotus throne contemplation: "Vaidehī addressed the Buddha: 'By the Buddha's power I have been able to see Amitābha Buddha and the two bodhisattvas; how may future sentient beings see them?'"—this is the seventh proof. Eighth, as said next in the response to her request: "The Buddha told Vaidehī: 'You and sentient beings who wish to contemplate that Buddha should give rise to visualized thoughts'"—this is the eighth proof. Ninth, as said in the image contemplation: "The Buddha told Vaidehī: 'The buddhas, the tathāgatas, enter the mental visualizations of all sentient beings; therefore, when your minds visualize the Buddha...'"—this is the ninth proof. Tenth, as said individually in each of the nine ranks: "for all sentient beings"—this is the tenth proof. Although there are ten different statements above, they prove that the Tathāgata expounded these sixteen contemplation methods solely for sentient beings who are constantly drowning, having nothing to do with the great or lesser sages. With such textual proof, how could it be an error!'