觀無量壽佛經義疏 2.70

2.70

"'This is the visualization of the sun, called the first contemplation.'" The concluding instruction is easy to understand. Regarding the latter fifteen contemplations, in the first five concerning the environmental retribution, the second is the visualization of water, intending to bring about the freezing of ice in this world. The fifth visualization of water properly contemplates the ponds and pools of that realm. The names are the same, but the entities are different, which students ought to know. The second contemplation, the contemplation of water, has two parts: first, the object contemplated; second, the concluding instruction. The visualization of water is precisely for contemplating the ground. Ground of lapis lazuli jewel does not exist anywhere in the world, but water freezing into ice is known to everyone. Hence, seeing that land through this world uses what is similar to compare with what is real; therefore, he first raises water and ice, and afterward brings about the jewel ground. The commentary states: "Great water freezing into ice truly represents the ground of lapis lazuli"—this is it. First, the object contemplated has two parts: first, contemplating water; second, contemplating the ground. First, contemplating water has three parts: first, properly visualizing water; second, transforming water into ice; third, transforming ice into lapis lazuli. First, properly visualizing water.