釋淨土群疑論 6.2

6.2

問曰：為一切眾生求生淨土悉得生耶？為亦有不得生耶？若悉得生，眾生界無窮，何因極樂國土有終盡日、阿彌陀佛有涅槃時？又花聚菩薩及山海慧菩薩不應發願：「若有一眾生生阿彌陀佛國未盡，若我先生者，我終不取正覺。」亦不得言眾生生盡，我最後生也。若有不令生者，何因五逆十惡、誹謗正法罪之極重而得往生，何有罪人更過此者不得生也？又經言「亦令一切眾生得生淨土」，不得生者應非眾生。又大悲世尊慈心普遍，何因獨隔一數而不令其生耶？無限大悲有不平等過也。

Question: Do all sentient beings who seek rebirth in the pure land manage to attain rebirth? Or are there also those who do not manage to attain rebirth? If all attain rebirth, since the realm of sentient beings is infinite, why would Sukhāvatī have a day of ultimate end and Amitābha Buddha have a time of nirvāṇa? Furthermore, Bodhisattva Kusumasaṃcaya (Flower Accumulation) and Bodhisattva Sāgaramatigambhīra (Ocean-Mountain Wisdom) should not have made the vow: "If there remains a single sentient being who has not yet been reborn in Amitābha Buddha's land, should I be reborn before them, I will never attain correct awakening." Nor could it be said: "When sentient beings have all been reborn, I shall be reborn last." If there are those who are not permitted to be reborn, why is it that those who commit the five heinous sins, the ten evils, and the extremely grave crime of slandering the true Dharma can still attain rebirth, and what transgressor could surpass these so as to be unable to attain rebirth? Furthermore, the sūtras say: "Also cause all sentient beings to attain rebirth in the pure land"; those who cannot attain rebirth would have to not be sentient beings. Moreover, the World-Honoured One of Great Compassion has a universal mind of compassion; why would he isolate a certain number and not permit them to be reborn? An infinite great compassion would then incur the fault of being unequal.