遊心安樂道 1.56

1.56

「『中品下生者，若有善男子、善女人，孝養父母，行世仁慈。此人命欲終時，遇善知識，為其廣說阿彌陀佛國土樂事，亦說法藏比丘四十八大願。聞此事已，尋即命終，譬如壯士屈伸臂頃，即生西方極樂世界。生逕七日，遇觀世音及大勢至，聞法歡喜，過小一劫，成阿羅漢，是名中品下生者。

"‘As for the lowest rebirth of the middle grade, if there are good men or good women who are filial to their parents and practice worldly benevolence. When this person is about to die, he meets a good spiritual friend who expounds to him at length the pleasant matters of Amitābha Buddha’s land, and also explains Bhikṣu Dharmākara's forty-eight great vows. Having heard this matter, he passes away immediately thereafter; just as a strong man bends and extends his arm, he is immediately reborn in the western world of Sukhāvatī. Seven days after rebirth, he meets Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta, hears the Dharma and rejoices, and after one minor kalpa has passed, he becomes an arhat. This is called the lowest rebirth of the middle grade.'