釋淨土群疑論 7.25

7.25

Explanation: There is no difference here; although the texts differ, their underlying meaning is fundamentally the same. In the vow, 'even down to ten recitations' goes from few to many. Below, saying 'even down to a single recitation' goes from many to few. These complementary expressions do not fundamentally pose any difficulty. The monk Dharmākara made his vows going from few to many, stating that when those approaching the end of life suddenly encounter superior conditions and are then urged to recite the Buddha's name and attain rebirth in the pure land, some may be able to recite the Buddha's name a single time and then pass to the next life; some may be able to recite the Buddha's name twice and then their life ends; or others may be able to recite three, four, five, six, or even seven, eight, nine, or ten times—whether few or many, all are reborn in the pure land. However, if this person has never committed the five heinous crimes or slandered the Right Dharma during their life, whether they recite few or many, all achieve rebirth in the Pure Land. If one has committed the five heinous crimes or slandered the Right Dharma, and suddenly encounters superior conditions instructing them to practice buddhānusmṛti, they must complete ten recitations before they can achieve rebirth in the Pure Land; with one recitation or nine recitations, they will not be reborn. Hence it says, 'even down to ten recitations.' The exclusion of those who commit heinous crimes and slander is an exclusion framed in terms of numbers; it is not an absolute, final exclusion. Seasoned students, upon reading this, already understand the vow's words; beginners, upon newly opening the text, are mostly confused by this meaning, and thus fabricate divergent explanations without grasping the central intent. The Great Sage Śākyamuni, foreknowing that future generations would be confused by these sacred texts and rashly raise speculative inquiries, therefore said 'even down to a single recitation,' meaning that under this teaching, if those with heavy sins can recite many times they will all be reborn, and even down to a single recitation they will also be reborn, while excluding heinous crimes and slander. By expressing it in both ways above and below, the teaching is made luminous and clear, wishing to bring future generations to awakening regarding the teaching.