觀彌勒上生兜率天經贊 2.93

2.93

The Eulogy says: In explaining the external fruits, the third part below concludes with an exhortation to be born there. Within this there are three: first, showing the persons who are to be born there; second, teaching the practices for being born there; third, concluding and confirming the correct contemplation. This shows the persons who are to be born there. Briefly, there are three types of persons: First, bodhisattvas who practice the Dharma and do not revile saṃsāra, because they endure the suffering of saṃsāra to carry out benefit and joy. As for those who 'delight in being born in heaven,' it is because they rely on an entrusted support to cultivate wonderful practices, because in all births they receive honor and nobility, because abiding in an inferior self-body their practice is not complete, and because being born in heaven they obtain the sight of Maitreya Buddha. They are unlike the two vehicles, who revile the suffering of saṃsāra, fear heavenly heedlessness, and do not delight in being born there. Second, those who 'cherish and revere the unsurpassed mind of bodhi' delight in cultivating supreme practices to seek great bodhi, because in Maitreya's presence they open up the Great Dharma. Those who do not delight in the Mahāyāna and hope for lesser fruits seek nirvāṇa according to the place where they take rebirth. Third, those who 'desire to become disciples of Maitreya' vow to work wholesome benefit in an evil realm, hoping to carry out salvation among suffering sentient beings; they do not wish to go to a pure land to become disciples of other buddhas, because there are no suffering sentient beings there whom they could ferry across, and with no suffering to revile, their yearning mind would not be deep. Furthermore, regarding those who uphold precepts or violate precepts, who have precepts or lack precepts in the Final Dharma age of Śākyamuni, Śākyamuni entrusted them all to Maitreya for deliverance. Those who evaluate their own understanding and practice as making it difficult to be born in a pure land, and who can become disciples of Maitreya, should practice this contemplation regarding the above-described heavenly palace and place. What is this contemplation?