淨土論 2.20

2.20

Answer: If, as in that sūtra, only those without fetters first attain rebirth, then only the Buddha alone could attain rebirth, and none of the rest could, because even bodhisattvas in the final stage of the tenth bhūmi still possess two kinds of ignorance. Now, to explain the sūtra's words 'thoughts of ordinary beings': if one does not generate bodhicitta and seek to escape the three realms to become a buddha, but merely recites the Buddha's name seeking birth in the West to preserve only oneself, avoiding suffering and chasing pleasure, these are the thoughts of ordinary beings, and one also cannot attain rebirth. Therefore, in the Infinite Life Sūtra, the people born in the three grades must all generate bodhicitta. As for 'thoughts not mixed with the fetters': one must solely, with single-minded continuity, contemplate the marks and signs of the Buddha. If one recites the Buddha's name with the mouth while the mind is tied to the five desires, these are thoughts mixed with the fetters. Mindfulness of the Buddha is a pure mind, which is contrary to the fetters; if one can be like this, one accords with that sūtra.