遊心安樂道 1.55

1.55

"‘As for the middle rebirth of the middle grade, if there are sentient beings who for one day and one night uphold the eight precepts of the fast; or for one day and one night uphold the novice precepts; or for one day and one night uphold the complete precepts, with no deficiency in deportment; and with these merits dedicate [the roots of virtue] and aspire to be reborn in the land of Sukhāvatī, perfumed and cultivated by the fragrance of the precepts. When such a practitioner is near the end of life, he sees Amitābha Buddha with his retinue emitting a golden light and holding a lotus flower of the seven jewels, arriving before the practitioner. The practitioner himself hears a voice in the sky praising him, saying: "Good son or good woman! A good person such as you who conforms to the teachings of the Buddhas of the three periods of time, I come to welcome you." The practitioner sees himself seated upon the lotus flower, which then closes, and is reborn in the western world of Sukhāvatī. On the jeweled ground, after seven days have passed, the lotus flower blooms. Once the flower has bloomed, he opens his eyes, joins his palms, and praises the World-Honored One. Hearing the Dharma, he rejoices and attains the stage of srotāpanna; after half a kalpa has passed, he becomes an arhat. This is called the middle rebirth of the middle grade.'