淨名玄論 8.18

8.18

Furthermore, to explain the two meanings of purifying the Buddha-land and maturing sentient beings: purifying the Buddha-land is mostly based on the aspect of the fruit, whereas maturing sentient beings is mostly based on the aspect of the cause. Why is this so? It is necessarily at the time of attaining Buddhahood that one attains a Buddha-land. As the sūtra says: 'When the bodhisattva attains Buddhahood, sentient beings who are not deceitful come to be born in his land.' Thus we know that in the causal stage one generates the practice of the pure land, which refers to benefiting beings at the time of the fruit. As for maturing sentient beings being mostly based on the aspect of the cause: because the bodhisattva matures sentient beings, sentient beings have already been born in the pure land. Question: How is this known? Answer: The sūtras and treatises themselves indicate that the two practices are each distinct, speaking of the 'practice of purifying the Buddha-land'; this practice establishes the practice by indicating the fruit. If it is maturing sentient beings, it only concerns benefiting others without indicating the fruit; thus we know it is based on the cause. Moreover, as for the difference between the two practices: the practice of purifying the Buddha-land is the practice of seeking upward, while maturing sentient beings, in benefiting according to their needs, is the practice of transforming downward. The essential practices of a bodhisattva do not go beyond these two. Furthermore, the practice of purifying the Buddha-land is a distinct practice, whereas maturing sentient beings is a common practice. How is this known? It only speaks of purifying the Buddha-land and does not explain defiled lands; therefore it is a distinct practice. Maturing sentient beings explains benefiting beings in whatever places exist, whether pure or defiled; therefore it is a common practice. Question: Previously, you made a distinction between the two based on the aspect of practice. Why now do you say they are both practice? Answer: The author of the treatise clarifies that these are two essential practices; thus we should know that both are practice. When explaining the two practices in terms of stages: from the initial generation of the resolve up to equal enlightenment, both practices are fully cultivated. According to the Daśabhūmika-sūtra, the eighth bhūmi directly clarifies purifying the Buddha-land, and the four unhindered knowledges of the ninth bhūmi carry out maturing sentient beings.