觀無量壽佛經疏 3.4

3.4

First, from 'The Buddha told Vaidehī' down to 'visualize the West' directly clarifies the general announcement and general encouragement. This clarifies that Vaidehī previously requested [to know about] the land of Amitābha Buddha and also requested the practice of samāpatti. The Tathāgata immediately granted to preach it for her at that time. However, because the conditions of the capacities were not yet complete and the revelation of practice was not yet thorough, he further disclosed the causes of the three blessings to provide benefits not yet heard. Furthermore, the Tathāgata reiterated his announcement to encourage circulation; this Dharma is difficult to hear, and he sought to awaken them broadly. 'The Buddha told Vaidehī: "You and sentient beings"' clarifies the announcement and encouragement: if one wishes to leave the dust of defilement equally and seek rebirth in the Buddha land, one should rouse one's mind. The phrase 'should concentrate the mind' and so forth clarifies that sentient beings are distracted and restless, their consciousness worse than monkeys, their minds pervading the six dusts without any means of resting for a moment. But because the objects and conditions are not single, greed and scattered thoughts arise before their eyes; how could settling the mind in samādhi be attained? Unless one abandons conditions, relies on quietude, and continuously focuses the mind directly on the West, excluding the other nine realms, [it cannot be achieved]. Therefore, one body, one mind, one pariṇāmanā, one place, one object, one continuity, one refuge, and one right mindfulness is called the perfection of visualization and the attainment of samāpatti. In this life and future rebirths, one is liberated according to one's mind.