無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 1.72

1.72

問曰：觀如來莊嚴功德何所闕少，復須觀菩薩功德耶？答曰：如有明君則有賢臣，堯舜之稱無為，是其比也。若便但有如來法王而無大菩薩法臣，於翼讚道豈足云滿？亦如薪𧂐小則火不大。如經言「阿彌陀佛國有無量無邊諸大菩薩，如觀世音、大勢至等，皆當一生於他方次補佛處。」若人稱名憶念者、歸依者、觀察者，如《法華經．普門品》說無願不滿。然菩薩愛樂功德，如海吞流無止足情。亦如釋迦牟尼如來聞一目闇比丘吁言：「誰愛功德？為我維鍼。」爾時如來從禪定起，來到其所語言：「我愛福德。」遂為其維鍼。爾時失明比丘暗聞佛語聲，驚喜交集白佛言：「世尊！世尊功德猶未滿耶？」佛報言：「我功德圓滿，無所復須。但我此身從功德生，知功德恩分故，是故言愛。」如所問，觀佛功德實無願不充，所以復觀菩薩功德者，有如上種種義故耳。

Question: What is lacking in contemplating the Tathāgata's adornment of merits, that one must further contemplate the bodhisattvas' merits? Answer: Just as when there is an enlightened sovereign there are worthy ministers—the praise of Yao and Shun's "non-action" being an example—if there were only the Tathāgata Dharma King without great bodhisattva Dharma ministers, how could the way of assisting and praising be considered complete? It is also like when the bundle of firewood is small, the fire is not large. As the sūtra states: "In the land of Amitābha Buddha there are immeasurable and boundless great bodhisattvas, such as Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta, all of whom are bound to one last rebirth to succeed to Buddhahood in another realm." If a person recites their names, is mindful of them, takes refuge in them, or contemplates them, then, as expounded in the 'Universal Gateway Chapter' of the Lotus Sūtra, there is no wish that is not fulfilled. Furthermore, bodhisattvas delight in merits just as the ocean swallows flowing rivers without any feeling of satiation. It is also like when Śākyamuni Tathāgata heard a blind monk sigh and say: "Who loves merit? Thread a needle for me." At that time, the Tathāgata arose from meditation, came to his place, and said: "I love merit." He then threaded the needle for him. At that time, hearing the sound of the Buddha's voice in the dark, the blind monk was filled with both surprise and joy, and said to the Buddha: "Bhagavat! Is the Bhagavat's merit still not fulfilled?" The Buddha answered: "My merits are fully perfected; there is nothing more I require. But this body of mine was born from merit, and knowing the debt of gratitude owed to merit, I therefore say that I love it." As you asked, in contemplating the Buddha's merits there is indeed no vow that is not fulfilled; the reason for additionally contemplating the bodhisattvas' merits is due to the various meanings mentioned above.