釋淨土群疑論 6.23

6.23

釋曰：案極樂之邦去此世界百千俱胝那庾多佛土，誠為處遠。今言不遠，自有別義。聊陳十釋以會斯文：一佛力不遠、二方便不遠、三應現不遠、四自心不遠、五守護不遠、六有緣不遠、七本願不遠、八來迎不遠、九往生不遠、十不放逸不遠。一佛力者，經言「以佛力故當得見彼」。二方便者，經言「有異方便令汝得見」。三應現者，經言「阿彌陀佛住立空中」。四自心者，經言「是心作佛，是心是佛」。五守護者，經言「常來至彼行人之所」。六有緣者，經言「有緣眾生皆悉得見」。七本願者，經言「宿願力故，有憶想者必得成就」。八來迎者，經言「與諸化佛來迎行人」。九往生者，經言「如彈指頃即生彼國」。十不放逸者，如《涅槃經》第三十卷云「夫放逸者雖得近佛及佛弟子，猶名為遠。」今但能專心不行放逸，即名近佛，不名遠也。以具斯十義，名不遠也。

Explanation: The realm of Sukhāvatī is separated from this world by hundreds of thousands of koṭis of nayutas of Buddha lands, which is truly distant in space. When it says here that it is "not far", it naturally has another meaning. I shall briefly set forth ten explanations to reconcile these texts: First, not far by the Buddha's power; second, not far by skillful means; third, not far by responsive manifestation; fourth, not far from one's own mind; fifth, not far by protective guardianship; sixth, not far for those with karmic affinity; seventh, not far by the original vow; eighth, not far by coming to welcome; ninth, not far by rebirth in the Pure Land; tenth, not far by non-negligence. First, regarding the Buddha's power: the sūtra says, "By the Buddha's power, you shall behold him." Second, regarding skillful means: the sūtra says, "There are distinct skillful means that enable you to see." Third, regarding responsive manifestation: the sūtra says, "Amitābha Buddha stands in the sky." Fourth, regarding one's own mind: the sūtra says, "This mind creates the Buddha; this mind is the Buddha." Fifth, regarding protective guardianship: the sūtra says, "He constantly comes to the practitioner's dwelling." Sixth, regarding karmic affinity: the sūtra says, "Sentient beings with affinity will all be able to see." Seventh, regarding the original vow: the sūtra says, "By the power of his past vows, those who remember and contemplate will certainly attain accomplishment." Eighth, regarding coming to welcome: the sūtra says, "Along with transformation Buddhas, he comes to welcome the practitioner." Ninth, regarding rebirth in the Pure Land: the sūtra says, "In the snapping of a finger, one is reborn in that realm." Tenth, regarding non-negligence: as the thirtieth fascicle of the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says, "Those who are negligent, even if they are near the Buddha and his disciples, are still called far away." If one can simply concentrate one's mind and not practice negligence, one is called near to the Buddha, and is not called far away. Because it possesses these ten meanings, it is called "not far".