大乘義章 19.4

19.4

第一釋名。言淨土者，經中或時名佛剎、或稱佛界、或云佛國、或云佛土，或復說為淨剎、淨界、淨國、淨土。剎者是其天竺人語，此方無翻，蓋乃處處之別名也。約佛辨處，故云佛剎。佛世界者，世謂世間，國土境界盛眾生處，名器世間。界是界別。佛所居處，異於餘人，故名界別。又佛隨化，住處各異，亦名界別。約佛辨界，名佛世界。言佛國者，攝人之所，目之為國。約佛辨國，故名佛國。言佛土者，安身之處，號之為土。約佛辨土，名為佛土。若論其國，王領者有、不王者無。土即不爾，有身皆有。剎之與界，其義則通，此無雜穢，故悉名淨。剎性海，蓮花須彌，諸如是等，寬狹別稱。問曰：國土眾生共俱，何故偏名佛國土乎？今明佛土，不說餘故。又佛是主，故名佛土。名義如是（此一門竟）。

First, explaining the names. As for 'pure land', in the sūtras it is sometimes called a Buddha-kṣetra, or termed a Buddha-dhātu, or spoken of as a Buddha country, or spoken of as a Buddha land; or it is further stated to be a pure kṣetra, a pure dhātu, a pure country, or a pure land. Kṣetra is a word from the people of India for which this land has no translation; it is simply a particular designation for 'place'. Distinguishing the place in terms of the Buddha, it is called a Buddha-kṣetra. As for a Buddha world, 'world' (loka) refers to the mundane sphere; the realm of countries and lands that contains sentient beings is called the vessel world. 'Realm' (dhātu) means a distinct division. The place where the Buddha dwells differs from other people, hence it is called a distinct division. Furthermore, according to the Buddha's transformations, his dwelling places are each different, which is also called a distinct division. Distinguishing the realm in terms of the Buddha, it is called a Buddha world. As for a Buddha country, the place that gathers people is designated a country. Distinguishing the country in terms of the Buddha, it is called a Buddha country. As for a Buddha land, a place where one settles one's body is styled a land. Distinguishing the land in terms of the Buddha, it is called a Buddha land. If one discusses a country, those governed by a king have one, and those not governed by a king do not. A land is not like this: wherever there is a body, there is a land. The meanings of kṣetra and dhātu are universal; because these are free from defilement and impurities, they are all called 'pure'. The ocean of kṣetra-natures, the lotus flower, Sumeru, and all such as these are particular designations of width and narrowness. Question: Lands and countries are shared together with sentient beings; why are they designated exclusively as Buddha lands and Buddha countries? [Answer:] Here we clarify Buddha lands and do not speak of the rest. Furthermore, the Buddha is the master; hence they are called Buddha lands. Such are the names and meanings (here ends this first section).