阿彌陀經通贊疏 1.37

1.37

Answer: "There are three meanings: First, to realize the profound principle, one must first hear the Dharma, because names and the like express meanings, unlike visible forms and the like. Second, this realm takes sound as the Buddha-work; because [sound as] an affair serves as the basis, names and the like exist. Third, aspiring to realize bodhi requires the perfuming of hearing; because the perfuming of hearing brings about transcendence of the world. For these reasons, at the beginning of the sūtra it does not say 'seen, perceived, or known,' but only says 'I have heard.' In reality, at that time he also saw the Buddha speak; and in various other Buddha-lands, where light and the like perform Buddha-work, one could say 'seen' and so forth."