樂邦文類 3.46

3.46

我本師釋迦如來說言：從是西方，過十萬億佛土，有世界號極樂，以無八苦四惡道故也。其國號淨土，以無三毒五濁業故也。其佛號阿彌陀，以壽無量、願無量、功德相好光明無量故也。諦觀此娑婆世界微塵眾生，無賢愚、無貴賤、無幼艾，有起心歸佛者，舉手合掌，必先向西方。有怖厄苦惱者，開口發聲，必先念阿彌陀佛。又範金合土刻石織紋，乃至印水聚沙童子戲者，莫不率以阿彌陀佛為上首，不知其然而然。由是而觀，是彼如來有大誓願於此眾生，此眾生有大因緣於彼國土明矣。不然者，東南北方過去現在未來佛多矣，何獨如是哉？何獨如是哉？唐中大夫太子少傅上柱國憑翊縣開國侯賜紫金魚袋（白居易），當衰莫之歲、中風痺之疾，乃捨俸錢三萬，命工人杜宗敬，按《阿彌陀》、《無量壽》二經，畫西方世界一部，高九尺、廣丈有三尺。彌陀尊佛坐中央，觀音、勢至二大士侍左右，人天瞻仰，眷屬圍遶。樓臺妓樂、水樹華鳥，七寶嚴飾、五彩張施，爛爛煌煌，功德成就。弟子（居易）焚香稽首跪於佛前，起慈悲心，發弘誓願，願此功德迴施一切眾生。一切眾生，有如我老者、如我病者、願皆離苦得樂、斷惡修善，不越南贍部便覩西方，白毫大光應念來感，青蓮上品隨願往生。從現在身盡未來際，常得親近而供養也。欲重宣此願而偈讚曰：

Our Fundamental Teacher Śākyamuni Tathāgata spoke these words: Passing from here to the west beyond a hundred thousand kotis of buddha-lands, there is a world named Ultimate Bliss, because it is free of the eight sufferings and the four evil paths. That land is named Pure Land, because it is free of the karmas of the three poisons and the five turbidities. That Buddha is named Amitābha, because his lifespan is immeasurable, his vows are immeasurable, and his merit, marks, and radiant light are immeasurable. Carefully observing the dust-mote-like sentient beings of this Sahā world, regardless of whether they are wise or foolish, noble or base, young or old—whenever any of them gives rise to the thought of taking refuge in the Buddha, in raising their hands and joining their palms, they must first face the west. When there are those who suffer terror, adversity, and affliction, in opening their mouths and emitting sound, they must first recite 'Amitābha Buddha'. Furthermore, whether casting metal, shaping clay, carving stone, weaving cloth, or even imprinting water or gathering sand in children's play, none do not take Amitābha Buddha as the foremost. They know not why it is so, yet it is so. Looking at it from this, it is clear that that Tathāgata has great vows toward these sentient beings, and these sentient beings have great karmic affinity with that land. Were it not so, the buddhas of the east, south, north, past, present, and future are so numerous—why would it be uniquely like this? Why would it be uniquely like this? I, Grand Master for Palace Counsel, Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince, Supreme Pillar of State, Founding Baron of Pingyi County, and Recipient of the Purple and Gold Fish Bag, Tang dynasty, Bai Juyi, being in my declining and twilight years and stricken with paralysis, thereupon gave up thirty thousand of my salary cash and commanded the artisan Du Zongjing to paint, according to the two sūtras of Amitābha and Amitāyus, a painting of the Western World, nine feet high and thirteen feet wide. Amitābha, the Honoured Buddha, sits in the centre; the two Mahāsattvas, Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta, attend on his left and right; humans and devas gaze up in reverence, and retinue surrounds them. Pavilions, celestial musicians, waters, trees, flowers, and birds are adorned with the seven treasures and displayed in the five colours, resplendent and magnificent—merit and virtue brought to fulfillment. The disciple Juyi burned incense, bowed his head, knelt before the Buddha, gave rise to a mind of compassion, and made a broad and great vow, wishing that this merit be transferred to all sentient beings. May all sentient beings—those aged like me and afflicted with illness like me—depart from suffering and attain bliss, sever evil and cultivate good; and without departing Jambudvīpa, may they behold the Western Realm, the great light of the white curl responding to their mindfulness to welcome them, and in the highest grade of the blue lotus, be reborn according to their vows. From the present body to the end of the future, may they always be able to draw near and make offerings. Desiring to restate this vow, I praise in verse, saying: