三彌勒經疏 1.71

1.71

Question: Why must a one-life-remaining bodhisattva be born in the fourth heaven? Answer: The thirty-eighth fascicle of the *Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa* states: "In the Formless Realm there is no physical form, so one cannot preach the Dharma. In the Form Realm, although there is a form body and preaching of the Dharma, they are attached to the taste of dhyāna, and cannot greatly benefit sentient beings. In the lower three desire heavens, defilements are deep and heavy; in the upper two heavens, defilements are light, but the mind is pliable and not sharp. Therefore, in the fourth heaven, defilements are light and faculties are sharp; hence the Bodhisattva abides therein. Furthermore, if he were born as a human and from a human became a Buddha, humans would give rise to pride and the devas would not have faith. If he were born as a deva and from a deva became a Buddha, he would not be able to transform humans. Therefore, it is only from Tuṣita [that he descends]."