起信論疏筆削記 20.28

20.28

In general, those who are reborn there are entirely classified into nine grades. Because their causal practices are superior or inferior, their rebirth has higher and lower ranks, the opening of their flowers has slow and fast [speeds], and their accomplishment of the path has earlier and later [times]. For the highest of the highest grade, one arouses three kinds of minds: the sincere mind, the deep mind, and the dedication-and-vow mind. Being fully endowed with moral discipline and practice, one reads and recites the Mahāyāna. From one day to seven days, one immediately attains rebirth. The Buddha and bodhisattvas personally come to welcome them; Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara holds a vajra dais, and so on, arriving before the practitioner. The person mounts this, follows behind the Buddha, and in the time it takes to snap one's fingers, is reborn in that land. Having been born, one sees the Buddha, hears the Dharma, and awakens. Passing only a moment, one universally reaches the ten directions, successively receives prophecies before the Buddhas, returns to one's own land, and attains immeasurable hundreds of thousands of dhāraṇī gates. Down to the lowest of the lowest grade: those with the five heinous crimes and ten unwholesome deeds, fully endowed with all evils, who because of evil karma ought to fall into the hells to endure many eons. At the time of approaching the end of life, they meet a good spiritual friend who instructs them to recite the name of the Buddha. In thought-moment after thought-moment, they eradicate the heavy saṃsāric offenses of eighty koṭis of eons, and being fully endowed with ten thoughts, mount a flower to be reborn. The Buddha and bodhisattvas come together to welcome them. Born within a lotus flower in that pond, only when twelve great eons are complete does the lotus flower open. Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta preach the Dharma for them; hearing the Dharma, they rejoice, extinguish offenses and eliminate obstacles, arouse the bodhi mind, and so on. If one requires full details, please consult that sūtra.