安樂集 2.10

2.10

第四、依《觀經》及餘諸部，所修萬行，但能迴願，莫不皆生。然念佛一行將為要路。何者？審量聖教，有始、終兩益。若欲生善起行，則普該諸度；若滅惡消災，則總治諸障。故下經云：「念佛眾生，攝取不捨。」壽盡必生，此名始益。言終益者，依《觀音授記經》云：「阿彌陀佛住世長久，兆載永劫亦有滅度。般涅槃時，唯有觀音、勢至住持安樂，接引十方。其佛滅度，亦與住世時節等同。然彼國眾生，一切無有覩見佛者，唯有一向專念阿彌陀佛往生者，常見彌陀，現在不滅。」此即是其終時益也。所修餘行迴向皆生。世尊滅度有覩不覩，勸後代審量，使沾遠益也。

Fourth, relying on the Guan jing and other texts: of the myriad practices performed, if one can only dedicate the vows, none will fail to attain rebirth. Yet the single practice of buddhānusmṛti should be taken as the essential path. Why? Examining the sacred teachings, there are two benefits: initial and final. If one wishes to generate good and initiate practice, it universally encompasses the various pāramitās; if one wishes to extinguish evil and dispel disasters, it comprehensively cures all obstacles. Therefore, a subsequent sūtra says: 'Beings who practice buddhānusmṛti are gathered in and not abandoned.' When life is exhausted, they will certainly attain rebirth; this is called the initial benefit. As for the final benefit, according to the Sūtra on Avalokiteśvara's Vyākaraṇa: 'Amitābha Buddha's dwelling in the world is long-lasting; after trillions of eternal kalpas he will also enter parinirvāṇa. When he attains parinirvāṇa, only Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta will maintain the Land of Peace and Bliss and receive beings from the ten directions. The duration of that Buddha's parinirvāṇa will also be equal to the period of his dwelling in the world. However, among the beings of that land, none will see the Buddha, except for those who exclusively practiced buddhānusmṛti toward Amitābha Buddha and were reborn there, who will constantly see Amitābha appearing without extinguishing.' This is the final benefit. All other practices performed, if dedicated, will lead to rebirth. As to whether one sees or does not see the World-Honoured One upon his parinirvāṇa, I urge later generations to examine this carefully, so that they may partake of the distant benefit."