無量壽經優婆提舍願生偈註 2.99

2.99

The 'equal Dharma-body' refers to the bodhisattvas of the body born of the Dharma-nature of the eighth stage and above. The 'equality of tranquility and cessation' refers precisely to the dharma of the equality of tranquility and cessation realized by these Dharma-body bodhisattvas. Because they have attained this dharma of the equality of tranquility and cessation, they are called the equal Dharma-body; and because it is attained by the equal Dharma-body bodhisattvas, it is called the dharma of the equality of tranquility and cessation. These bodhisattvas attain the samādhi of retributive birth; by the spiritual power of this samādhi, in one place, in a single thought-moment, at one time, they can pervade the worlds of the ten directions to offer various kinds of worship to all the buddhas and the oceanic assemblies of the great assemblies of buddhas, and in immeasurable worlds where there is neither Buddha, Dharma, nor Saṅgha, they can manifest in various forms, offer various teachings, deliver all living beings, and constantly perform the Buddha's work. From the very beginning, they have no notion of coming and going, no notion of offering worship, and no notion of delivering beings. Therefore, this body is called the equal Dharma-body, and this dharma is called the dharma of the equality of tranquility and cessation. 'Bodhisattvas who have not yet realized the pure mind' refers to all bodhisattvas from the first stage up to and including the seventh stage. These bodhisattvas are also capable of manifesting bodies in a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred million, or hundreds of thousands of kotis of buddha-lands without buddhas to carry out the Buddha's work; however, they must generate an intention and enter samādhi before they are able to do so—it is not without generating an intention. Because they generate an intention, they are called 'not yet having attained the pure mind.' When these bodhisattvas aspire to be born in the Pure Land of Peace and Bliss, they immediately see Amitābha Buddha. When they see Amitābha Buddha, they are ultimately equal in body and equal in dharma with all the bodhisattvas of the higher stages. It is precisely for this reason that the likes of Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna and Bodhisattva Vasubandhu aspired to be born there.