無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 1.36

1.36

此二句名莊嚴妙聲功德成就。佛本何故興此願？見有國土，雖有善法而名聲不遠、有名聲雖遠復不微妙、有名聲妙遠復不能悟物，是故起此莊嚴。天竺國稱淨行為梵行，稱妙辭為梵言。彼國貴重梵天，多以梵為讚。亦言：中國法與梵天通故也。聲者，名也，名謂安樂土名。經言「若人但聞安樂淨土之名，欲願往生，亦得如願。」此名悟物之證也。《釋論》言「如斯淨土非三界所攝。何以言之？無欲故非欲界，地居故非色界，有色故非無色界。」蓋菩薩別業所致耳。出有而有曰微（出有者，謂出三有。而有者，謂淨土有也）。名能開悟曰妙（妙好也，以名能悟物故稱妙）。是故言梵聲悟深遠，微妙聞十方。

These two lines are called the accomplishment of the adornment of wonderful sound merits. Why did the Buddha originally give rise to this vow? He saw that there are lands where, although there is good Dharma, the reputation does not travel far; or where there is a reputation that travels far, but it is not subtle and wonderful; or where there is a reputation that is subtle and far-reaching, but it cannot awaken beings. Therefore he gave rise to this adornment. In India, pure conduct is called brahma-conduct (brahmacarya), and wonderful words are called brahma-words. That country highly esteems the Brahmā Heaven, and mostly uses 'brahma' for praise. It is also said: It is because the laws of the Central Country [of India] connect with the Brahmā Heaven. 'Sound' means 'name', namely, the name of the Land of Peace and Bliss. The sūtra says: 'If a person merely hears the name of the Pure Land of Peace and Bliss and aspires to be reborn there, they will also attain their wish.' This name is the proof of awakening beings. The Commentary (*Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa*) says: 'Such a Pure Land is not subsumed within the three realms. Why is this said? Because it is without desire, it is not the desire realm; because it is ground-dwelling, it is not the form realm; because it has form, it is not the formless realm.' It is brought about solely by the distinct karma of the Bodhisattva. Transcending existence yet existing is called 'subtle' (transcending existence means transcending the three states of existence; yet existing means the Pure Land exists). The name being able to open and awaken is called 'wonderful' (wonderful means fine; because the name can awaken beings, it is called wonderful). Therefore it is said: 'The Brahma sound awakens beings profoundly and distantly, / Subtle and wonderful, heard in the ten directions.'