遊心安樂道 1.41

1.41

As for the characteristics of the ten recitations of the explicit meaning, they are spoken regarding the fourth pair's pure [land]. As the Contemplation Sūtra says: "As for the lowest rebirth of the lowest grade, there may be sentient beings who commit unwholesome karma—the five heinous crimes, the ten non-virtues, and are endowed with all unwholesome deeds. When about to die, they meet a good spiritual friend who explains the marvelous Dharma to them and teaches them to practice buddhānusmṛti. If they are unable to practice mindfulness, they should invoke the Buddha of Immeasurable Life; thus, in thought after thought, the transgressions of eighty billion kalpas of birth-and-death are eliminated, and after life ends, they immediately attain rebirth," and so on at length. With what kind of mind is it called the "utmost mind"? What is called the "ten continuous recitations"? Master Kumārajīva said: "For example, suppose a person meets a wicked bandit in an open wilderness who brandishes a spear and draws a sword, coming straight to kill him. That person runs desperately, looking to cross a river. At that time, he only thinks of a means to cross the river. Having reached the riverbank, should he cross with his clothes on, or should he cross with his clothes off? If he crosses wearing his clothes, he fears he cannot get across; if he crosses taking off his clothes, he fears there is no time. He has only this thought, without any other intention; the focused thought of crossing the river is just one single thought. Ten such thoughts without being mixed with other thoughts—the practitioner is also like this. Whether recollecting the Buddha's name or contemplating the Buddha's physical form, being mindful of the Buddha without interruption for up to ten recitations—such an utmost mind is called ten recitations." This is the characteristic of the ten recitations of the explicit meaning.