阿彌陀經疏 1.3

1.3

Now, as for the words 'The Buddha Speaks the Amitābha Sūtra', this is the essential path for leaving the perilous city, the compassionate vessel that carries [beings] across the sea of suffering; it speaks of phenomena before one's very eyes, and discusses rebirth beyond the realm [of samsāra]. The Kuśalamūlasaṃparigraha Sūtra says: 'Buddha means one who is awakened; all sentient beings sleep long in birth and death and are unable to awaken, and only the Buddha can awaken; having awakened himself, he is also able to awaken others, hence he is named "Buddha".' As for 'speaks', the Daśabhūmikavibhāṣā says: 'It has the meaning of revealing and explaining.' As for 'Amitābha', the text below in this sūtra explains it itself.