樂邦文類 1.184

1.184

佛言：「十方眾生願生彼國，凡有三輩。其上輩者，捨家棄欲而作沙門，發菩提心，一向專念無量壽佛，修諸功德，願生彼國。是人壽終，無量壽佛與諸大眾現其人前，即隨彼佛，生七寶華中，住不退轉，智慧勇猛，神通自在。其中輩人，至心願生彼國，雖復不作沙門，大修功德，當發無上菩提之心，一向專念無量壽佛，多少修善，奉持齋戒、起立塔像、飯食沙門等，以此迴向願生彼國。其人臨終，無量壽佛化現其身，與諸大眾現其人前，即隨化佛往生其國，住不退轉，功德智慧次上輩也。其下輩人，至心欲生彼國，假使不作諸功德，當發無上菩提之心，一向專意乃至十念。若聞深法，歡喜信樂不生疑惑，乃至一念念於彼佛。此人臨終，夢見彼佛，亦得往生，功德智慧次中輩也。」

The Buddha said: 'Sentient beings of the ten directions who wish to be reborn in that land generally have three grades. Those of the superior grade leave home, abandon desire, and become śramaṇas; they arouse the mind of awakening (bodhicitta), single-mindedly and exclusively practice mindfulness of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, cultivate all merits, and vow to be reborn in that land. When such a person's life comes to an end, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, together with a great assembly, will appear before them, and they will immediately follow that Buddha to be reborn inside a jewel lotus flower, abiding in non-retrogression, with valiant wisdom and sovereign supernormal powers. As for those of the middle grade, they sincerely wish to be reborn in that land; although they do not become śramaṇas and vastly cultivate merit, they should arouse the unsurpassed mind of awakening, single-mindedly and exclusively practice mindfulness of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, cultivate wholesome deeds to some extent, uphold the purification precepts, erect stūpas and images, provide food for śramaṇas, and so forth, dedicating [the merit] of these deeds to vow for rebirth in that land. When that person approaches death, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life will manifest a transformed body and, together with a great assembly, appear before them; they will immediately follow the transformed Buddha to be reborn in that land, abiding in non-retrogression, with merit and wisdom secondary to the superior grade. As for those of the lower grade, they sincerely wish to be reborn in that land; even if they do not perform various merits, they should arouse the unsurpassed mind of awakening, focus their attention exclusively, even for as few as ten recitations. If they hear profound Dharma, they rejoice in faith and delight without generating doubt, and even for a single thought-moment remain mindful of that Buddha. When this person approaches death, they will see that Buddha in a dream and also attain rebirth, with merit and wisdom secondary to the middle grade.'