遊心安樂道 1.54

1.54

「『中品上生者，若有眾生，受持八戒齋，修行諸戒，不造五逆，無眾過患，以此善根，迴向願求生於西方極樂世界。臨命終時，阿彌陀佛，與諸比丘，眷屬圍繞，放金色光，至其人所，演說苦、空、無常、無我，讚歎出家，得離眾苦。行者見已，心大歡喜，自見己身坐蓮華臺，長跪合掌，為佛作禮，未舉頭頃，即得往生極樂世界，蓮華尋開。當華敷時，聞眾音聲，讚嘆四諦，應時即得阿羅漢道，三明六通，具八解脫，是名中品上生者。

"‘As for the highest rebirth of the middle grade, if there are sentient beings who uphold the eight precepts of the fast, cultivate the various precepts, do not commit the five heinous crimes, and are free from all faults, and dedicate these roots of virtue, aspiring to be reborn in the western world of Sukhāvatī. When near the end of life, Amitābha Buddha, surrounded by monks and a retinue, emitting a golden light, arrives at that person's place, expounds suffering, emptiness, impermanence, and non-self, and praises going forth from home to attain freedom from all suffering. Having seen this, the practitioner's mind is greatly rejoiced; he sees his own body seated upon a lotus terrace, kneels long with joined palms, and bows to the Buddha. Before he raises his head, he immediately attains rebirth in the world of Sukhāvatī, and the lotus flower quickly opens. When the flower blooms, he hears all sounds praising the Four Noble Truths, and immediately attains the path of the arhat, with the three knowledges, the six supernormal powers, and fully possessing the eight liberations. This is called the highest rebirth of the middle grade.'