釋淨土群疑論 7.47

7.47

I explain: This is not false. Consider, for example, the twelfth universal contemplation, wherein one should arouse in one's own mind the thought of being born in the Western realm, sitting cross-legged within a lotus flower, and forming the visualization of the lotus closing and opening. Could such [contemplations] be erroneous? Seeing oneself reborn within this samādhi is just like this. Furthermore, when the elder Sudatta poured out gold to purchase the Jetavana and erected a monastery for the Tathāgata, he and Śāriputra each held one end of a measuring cord to lay out the saṃghārāma and raise the halls and chambers; at that moment, the heavenly palaces of the six heavens of the desire realm simultaneously appeared in empty space. Śāriputra then pointed them out to Sudatta. Sudatta did not understand and asked Śāriputra. The noble one replied, "These are the heavenly palaces induced by your merit in donating the grove, elder; you will be reborn in one of those places. Their signs have appeared beforehand to let you know." Sudatta said, "I have only a single body and will receive a single retribution at death; since the six heavens arrive simultaneously, where shall I be reborn?" Śāriputra said, "In the lower three heavens, merit is inferior and weak; in the upper two heavens, there is excessive indulgence. Only the Tuṣita heaven, although full of superior pleasures, fosters a mind of contentment, and those bound to one more birth are born therein. Elder, you may vow to be born in that heaven." Sudatta immediately made his vow according to that advice, whereupon the signs of the palaces of the five heavens vanished at once, and only the Tuṣita palace remained serene and steadfast. Therefore, depending on the conditions of good or evil karma one has generated, what is to be born first ripens, and at the end of life these signs frequently appear. Know with certainty that when causes are practiced, the fruits are attained, and the signs of the fruit appear before one; the pure land's lotus pedestals appear beforehand according to one's grade. Cases of this kind are necessarily so; why should there be any doubt? Causes and fruits correspond, and one must have deep, reverent faith in this.