釋淨土群疑論 2.39

2.39

Explanation: This meaning is extremely profound and difficult to explain. The sūtras state that the power of karma is inconceivable; one can only revere it with faith, for it is difficult to calculate. Now, to provide an accurate explanation: although observing the precepts for a day and a night is in itself without difference, the mind that receives the precepts has superior and inferior states. Due to the high or low quality of the mind, distinctions are formed in the precepts. If one originally aspired with a vow to seek rebirth in the Pure Land, the mind seeks a superior fruit, and the precepts become a wondrous cause that brings about a long lifespan in the Western realm. If one vowed to be born among humans or gods, the mind is not particularly superior; it accords with the flow of saṃsāra and increases the karma of existence, so the lifespan brought about as retribution is not extensive. Therefore, although the precepts are the same, because the conditions for giving rise to the precepts differ, they become superior or inferior karma, resulting in such differences in length of the retribution lifespan. Moreover, although the causal precept is equivalent, mindfulness and vows differ. When superior conditions assist the cause, one is immediately born in the Pure Land. Just as with the karmic retributions of the delimited and transformational states: although the karma is the same, craving and vows moisten it differently, and the resulting fruits turn out to be superior or inferior. This is also like that; why should one labor to generate doubt?