阿彌陀經義疏 1.14

1.14

次釋經文，大分三分：初至大眾俱為序分；二、爾時佛告下，至是為甚難，為正宗分；三佛說此經下，至末文為流通分。初中諸經皆有證信、發起二序，此經但列證信，獨無發起，《往生傳》序云：「此乃十二分教無問自說之經，其猶母之拊嬰兒，不俟其請，但欲顧其手足乳而哺之耳。」今以義求略為二意：一、表他方淨剎非二乘偏小境界，縱有權行，示同不知，不假因緣，孤然自說，彰其特異，即下諸佛歎釋迦云：「能為甚難希有之事，說此世間難信之法」是也。二、表我佛世尊大慈憫物，如母愛子，憐其小騃，不能請問，召以誨之，彰其深切，故下如來囑云：「汝等皆當信受我語及諸佛所說」是也。

Next is the direct explanation of the text of the sūtra, broadly divided into three parts: from the beginning up to "together with a great assembly" is the introductory section; second, from "At that time the Buddha said..." down to "this is extremely difficult" is the core doctrine section; third, from "When the Buddha had preached this sūtra..." down to the end of the text is the dissemination section. Within the first, sūtras in general possess two prefaces: the preface attesting faith and the launching preface. This sūtra only sets forth the attestation of faith and uniquely lacks a launching [preface]. The preface to the Biographies of Rebirth says: "This is a sūtra spoken unasked among the twelve divisions of the teaching. It is just like a mother fondling an infant, not waiting for it to ask, but only wishing to attend to its limbs and suckle and feed it." Now, seeking by principle, there are briefly two senses: First, it demonstrates that the pure lands in other directions are not the partial, inferior realm of the two vehicles; even if there are provisional practices, they appear as if not knowing [them]. Not relying on causes and conditions, he solitary and spontaneously spoke it, manifesting its exceptional nature. This is what is meant below when the Buddhas praise Śākya, saying: "Able to accomplish an extremely difficult and rare task, to preach for this world a Dharma difficult to believe." Second, it demonstrates that our Buddha, the World-Honoured One, with great compassion pities beings, like a mother loving her child; pitying their smallness and foolishness, unable to question and ask, he summons them to instruct them, manifesting his profound intimacy. Therefore, below the Tathāgata enjoins: "All of you should believe and accept my words and what all the Buddhas speak."