觀彌勒上生兜率天經贊 1.4

1.4

As for "the Sūtra on the Contemplation of Bodhisattva Maitreya's Ascent to Birth in Tuṣita Heaven": the six practices are cultivated together, the two causes are accumulated in parallel; the mind diligently focuses on the marvelous realm, joyfully hastening toward the contemplation of the sun. "Maitreya" is Sanskrit; here it is translated as "the Benevolent One" (Ci Shi). The mother's aspiration was wrapped in compassion for creeping creatures; the son's nature extended sympathy to all living beings. Past vows and present sincerity together designate his title. His Way is perfected in the highest fruit, yet his traces tread upon the lower causes; aspiring to enlightenment and moving living beings, he is provisionally designated a bodhisattva. "Ascent to birth" means going forth to ascend. "Tuṣita" means "contentment." Being self-mastered, luminous, pure, and of divine functioning is called "heaven." Because he is in succession to Buddhahood in the next birth, he resides upright in the heavenly palace to benefit others; if one focuses the mind to dwell in contemplation, one will certainly attain the opportunity to behold and attend him. "Sūtra" means gathering, stringing together, constant, and a model. Through being gathered by the teaching, living beings forever sever the bonds of the cage; through being strung together by the text, the principle permanently escapes dispersion and destruction; it is the constant norm for the hundred spirits, the excellent regulation for a thousand leaves. Benefiting beings and explaining the real, it is termed a sūtra.