淨土論 2.12

2.12

Answer: That treatise merely relied on empty vows without considering those who practice. What is explained in other sūtras considers practice alongside [vows]. If the Buddha's sūtras say that sentient beings who make vows will attain rebirth, these are all expositions with an implicit meaning concerning another time, and one cannot attain rebirth [immediately]. As the Lesser Amitābha Sūtra says, 'If there are people who have already made vows, are now making vows, or will make vows, regarding that land, they have already been born, are now being born, or will be born.' Such sūtras are all spoken with the implicit meaning concerning another time, and one does not attain immediate rebirth. But if, like the various pure land sūtras, they clarify the practices of the three blessings and the sixteen contemplation gates, or direct one to generate bodhicitta and recite the Buddha's name for seven days, or teach one to make vows and dedicate merit to attain rebirth through ten recitations—such sūtras all [lead to immediate] rebirth, and are thus not concerning another time. Therefore, that treatise says that relying solely on making vows is an expression concerning another time. Since it is making empty vows, in principle it refers to another time.