淨名玄論 8.7

8.7

Question: The opening section of the sūtra text has four clauses: first, it says 'in accordance with the sentient beings whom he transforms, he takes a Buddha-land'; next, it says 'in accordance with the sentient beings whom he disciplines, he takes a Buddha-land'; next, it says 'in accordance with what land is needed to generate the roots of a bodhisattva, he takes a Buddha-land'; next, 'in accordance with what land is needed to enter the Buddha's wisdom, he takes a Buddha-land'. How do these four passages differ? Please discuss them. Answer: All four clauses of this text clarify the meaning of taking a land, but the first two clauses generally clarify taking a land for the sake of beings, while the latter two clauses specifically clarify taking a land for the sake of beings. How is this known? The beginning simply says 'in accordance with the sentient beings transformed and in accordance with those disciplined', so we know it is general. The later text specifically clarifies generating the roots of a bodhisattva and entering the Buddha's wisdom, so we know it is specifically for beings. Question: How are the general and the specific [distinguished]? Answer: That which is generally for beings applies universally to sentient beings of the five vehicles, causing them to generate good and extinguish evil. 'In accordance with the sentient beings whom he transforms, he takes a Buddha-land' means transforming them so as to cause them to generate good. 'In accordance with the sentient beings whom he disciplines, he takes a Buddha-land' means disciplining them so as to cause them to extinguish evil. Therefore, the assemblies in the pure lands of the Buddhas differ: some are complete with the assemblies of the five vehicles; some have only assemblies of humans and devas; some have only an assembly of śrāvakas; some have only an assembly seeking pratyekabuddhahood; and some have only an assembly of bodhisattvas, fully as stated in the sūtras.