觀無量壽佛經疏 1.7

1.7

Furthermore, 'person and Dharma' are the objects of contemplation. There are two kinds: first, circumstantial retribution; second, primary retribution. In circumstantial retribution there are three kinds: first, underground adornments, which are the mutual radiance of all the jeweled banners, and so forth; second, ground adornments, which are all the jeweled grounds, ponds, groves, jeweled towers, palaces, and pavilions; third, aerial adornments, which are all the transformed jeweled palaces, flower nets, jeweled clouds, transformed birds, breezes and light, producing music, and so forth. Although there are three kinds of distinctions as stated above, they are all the superior marks of the uncontaminated, true nature of Amitābha's pure realm. This summarizes the adornments of circumstantial retribution. Furthermore, as for circumstantial retribution, from the sun contemplation down to the lotus throne contemplation, they generally elucidate circumstantial retribution. Within this circumstantial retribution, there is generic and specific. As for specific, the single contemplation of the lotus throne is its specific circumstantial [retribution], belonging solely to Amitābha Buddha. The remaining six contemplations above are its generic circumstantial [retribution], belonging to the ordinary beings and sages of the dharmadhātu; because those who attain rebirth share in its enjoyment, it is called generic. Furthermore, within these six there are provisional and real. As for provisional, the sun visualization, water visualization, ice visualization, and so forth are provisional circumstantial [retribution], because they are objective images that can be seen in resemblance in this realm. As for real circumstantial [retribution], from the lapis lazuli ground down to the contemplation of the jeweled tower, they are real circumstantial [retribution], because they are real, uncontaminated, visible objective images of that realm.