遊心安樂道 1.71

1.71

言優、劣者，夫總讚實德，誰劣？是故齊是法王，俱稱善逝，身充萬能，土盈眾美。但以為化眾生，或居穢土，則近墟滿野；或處淨剎，則奇寶盈封。若論其處，非無優、劣，兜率天宮，則搆虛而立；極樂世界，則就地而安，此則人、天趣別。若據此土法論彼界，則天優人劣也；若論淨、穢者，兜率是穢界，極樂則淨剎。粗分此彼，有其十四異：謂兜率天，界地挾隘，亦男、女雜居，亦有現行欲染，亦有退轉，亦壽四千歲，仍有中夭，身量亦爾，又三性心起，故以惡心或墮地獄，又三受互起，又六塵境令人放逸，又男生在父膝，女在母膝，又唯以菩薩為說法主，又或得聖果，或有不得；若西方土，反此為相，若就此義，西方大優也。

Regarding superiority and inferiority: generally praising their true virtues, who is inferior? Therefore, they are equally kings of the Dharma, both called Sugatas, their bodies filled with myriad abilities, their lands brimming with manifold beauties. However, for the sake of transforming sentient beings, they may dwell in a defiled land, whereupon ruins fill the wilds; or they may reside in a pure realm, whereupon rare jewels fill the borders. If we discuss the places, they are not without superiority and inferiority: the palace of the Tuṣita Heaven is constructed standing in the void, while the land of Sukhāvatī is situated securely on the ground; this is the difference between the human and deva destinies. If we discuss that realm on the basis of this land's norms, devas are superior and humans are inferior; but if we discuss them in terms of pure and defiled, Tuṣita is a defiled realm, whereas Sukhāvatī is a pure land. Roughly distinguishing the two, there are fourteen differences: in the Tuṣita Heaven, the terrain is cramped and narrow; men and women also live mixed together; there is also active sexual defilement; there is also retrogression; the lifespan is four thousand years, yet there is untimely death; the physical size is likewise [limited]; furthermore, minds of the three natures arise, so that through an evil mind one may fall into hell; also, the three feelings arise alternately; also, the objects of the six sense-fields cause people to be negligent; also, boys are born on the father's knee and girls on the mother's knee; also, only bodhisattvas serve as preaching masters; and also, some attain noble fruits while others do not. As for the Western land, its characteristics are the opposite of these. In terms of this meaning, the Western land is vastly superior.