無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 1.2

1.2

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.