觀無量壽佛經義疏 3.131

3.131

"‘This is the contemplation of mixed thoughts, named the thirteenth contemplation.’" The three sages are not the same, and the large and small differ; hence it is called "mixed thoughts." From the fourteenth downward, there are three contemplations of his retinue. The three ranks and nine grades are all the objects contemplated. Because they explain the characteristics of being born there, many people are confused about them. I now say that what is recounted in the text are all people who have already been born in that land, showing the signs of having achieved the fruit in accordance with the causes originally cultivated, which serve as the proximate objects for the three kinds of contemplation. It also says that in order to make people recognise that the stations have upper, middle, and lower levels, these are the three grades of the Larger Sūtra. I now say that all three grades of the Larger Sūtra are marked by the arousal of the bodhicitta, and can only correspond to the upper three grades of the present sūtra. The middle and lower grades do not correspond to them; furthermore, their causal practices are completely different from those of the present sūtra, and only by examining and comparing the sūtras does one know it is not so. Now, to explain: the upper three grades are his bodhisattva assembly; the middle three grades are his śrāvaka assembly; and the lower three grades are his assembly of humans and gods. The three ranks and nine grades encompass all the assembly of sages and ordinary beings of that realm. Furthermore, each of the three ranks is divided into higher and lower, as will be fully explained below. Fourteenth, the highest rank has five [aspects]: first, arousing the bodhicitta, which is the Mahāyāna mind; second, understanding the supreme truth, which is Mahāyāna understanding; third, practicing the various practices, which is Mahāyāna practice; fourth, having deep faith in cause and effect, which is Mahāyāna faith; and fifth, dedicating [merit] toward rebirth, which is the Mahāyāna vow. These five dharmas appear or do not appear in the upper three grades alternately. The highest level of the highest rank is endowed with all five: the sūtra's explanation of the three minds and three practices is precisely this. The middle level of the highest rank has four, lacking only the great practice: the sūtra's saying "well understands the meaning and principles" is this. The lowest level of the highest rank has three, lacking understanding and practice: the sūtra's saying "merely arousing the unsurpassed bodhicitta" is this. If one lacks the first, one does not belong to the highest rank; if one lacks the fourth and fifth, one is not reborn. Therefore, the upper three grades encompass all the great bodhisattvas—those in the stage of succeeding to Buddhahood in one lifetime, those of non-retrogression, and those of initial aspiration. Fourteenth, the highest rank has three [parts]: first, the highest level of the highest rank; second, the middle level of the highest rank; and third, the lowest level of the highest rank. First, the highest level of the highest rank has three [parts]: first, stating [the topic]; second, explaining it; and third, concluding. First, stating [the topic].