觀彌勒上生兜率天經贊 1.17

1.17

Question: Sūtras speak of countless superior abodes among the devas. Why does a bodhisattva bound to one last birth dwell exclusively in Tuṣita (Contentment)? Answer: Because the contentment regarding the pleasures of desire is easy to turn into revulsion, and because it is easy for a bodhisattva dwelling among them to exhort and transform [them]. In the higher realms, delight and restlessness are excessive; in the evil destinies, the practice of sorrow is extremely deep; and since no Buddha appears [in those realms], other places are not as good as Contentment, for the Buddhas of the three periods [of time] all dwell there alike. As the "Chapter on Rebirth" in the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa says: "The assembly of Tuṣita Heaven has sharp faculties and slight fetters; those bound to one last birth constantly dwell therein. In the three heavens below it, fetters are deep and minds are distracted; in the two heavens above it, fetters are thick and faculties are dull; therefore they do not dwell [there]." That [the text] does not mention coming from other directions is for fear of giving rise to doubt and calumny, as he transforms beings through [ordinary] birth. Not dwelling among humans to later be born and become a Buddha is because it would not respond to suitable capacities, as their admiration would not be deep.