無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 1.2

1.2

謹案：龍樹菩薩《十住毘婆沙》云「菩薩求阿毘跋致有二種道：一者難行道、二者易行道。」難行道者，謂於五濁之世、於無佛時，求阿毘跋致為難。此難乃有多途，粗言五三以示義意。一者外道相（修漿反）善，亂菩薩法。二者聲聞自利，障大慈悲。三者無顧惡人，破他勝德。四者顛倒善果，能壞梵行。五者唯是自力，無他力持。如斯等事觸目皆是，譬如陸路步行則苦。易行道者，謂但以信佛因緣願生淨土，乘佛願力便得往生彼清淨土。佛力住持，即入大乘正定之聚，正定即是阿毘跋致，譬如水路乘船則樂。

I respectfully observe: Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna's Daśabhūmika-vibhāṣā states: "There are two kinds of paths for bodhisattvas seeking [the stage of] avaivartika: the first is the path of difficult practice, and the second is the path of easy practice." As for the path of difficult practice, it means that seeking avaivartika in a world of the five turbidities, at a time when there is no Buddha, is difficult. There are indeed many aspects to this difficulty; to briefly state three to five of them in order to show the general sense: First, the external paths superficially resemble good, disrupting the bodhisattva's Dharma. Second, the śrāvakas' self-benefit obstructs great compassion. Third, unprincipled evil people destroy others' superior virtues. Fourth, inverted wholesome fruits can ruin pure conduct (brahmacarya). Fifth, there is only self-power, without the support of other-power. Matters such as these meet the eye everywhere; it is like walking by land, where proceeding is painful. As for the path of easy practice, it means simply through the condition of faith in the Buddha, aspiring to be reborn in the Pure Land, and mounting the power of the Buddha's vows, one immediately attains rebirth in that Pure Land. Sustained by the Buddha's power, one immediately enters the group of correct determination of the Mahāyāna; correct determination is indeed avaivartika. It is like traveling by water in a boat, where proceeding is joyful.