安樂集 2.38

2.38

第一、十方淨土共來比挍者。有其三番：一、如《隨願往生經》云：「十方佛國皆悉嚴淨，隨願竝得往生。雖然，悉不如西方無量壽國。」何意如此？但阿彌陀佛與觀音、大勢至，先發心時，從此界去，於此眾生偏是有緣。是故釋迦處處歎歸。二、據《大經》，法藏菩薩因中，於世饒王佛所，具發弘願取諸淨土，時佛為說二百一十億諸佛剎土，天人善惡，國土精麁，悉現與之。於時法藏菩薩願取西方成佛，今現在彼，是二證也。三、依此《觀經》中，韋提夫人復請淨土，如來光臺，為現十方一切淨土，韋提夫人白佛言：「此諸佛土雖復清淨皆有光明，我今樂生極樂世界阿彌陀佛所。」是其三證。故知諸淨土中，安樂世界最勝也。

First, regarding comparing the pure lands of the ten directions: there are three points. First, as the *Suiyuan wangsheng jing* states: 'The buddha-lands of the ten directions are all adorned and pure, and rebirth can be attained in all of them in accordance with one's vow. Nevertheless, none are equal to the western land of Immeasurable Life.' Why is this? Amitābha Buddha, together with Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta, when they first aroused the aspiration, departed from this world, and have a particular karmic connection with the sentient beings here. Therefore Śākyamuni repeatedly praised taking refuge there. Second, according to the *Larger Sūtra*, when the Bodhisattva Dharmākara was on the causal stage, in the presence of Lokeśvararāja Buddha, he fully made vast vows to take pure lands; at that time the Buddha explained to him two hundred and ten billion buddha-lands, showing him all of them—the good and evil of their devas and humans, and the refinement and coarseness of their lands. At that time the Bodhisattva Dharmākara vowed to choose the west to achieve buddhahood, and he is present there now; this is the second proof. Third, according to this *Guan jing*, Lady Vaidehī again requested a pure land, and the Tathāgata, by means of a terrace of light, manifested all the pure lands of the ten directions for her; Lady Vaidehī said to the Buddha: 'Although these buddha-lands are pure and all possess radiance, I now delight to be born in the world of Sukhāvatī, in the presence of Amitābha Buddha.' This is the third proof. Therefore we know that among all pure lands, the world of Peace and Bliss is the most supreme.