樂邦文類 1.217

1.217

The Zhenyuan Commentary states: "Question: Why do they not seek birth in the Flower Treasury, but rather look forward to birth in Utmost Bliss? Answer: There are four intentions: first, because of having affinity; second, because of wishing to cause sentient beings to rely with unified sentiment; third, because it is not separate from the Flower Treasury; fourth, because it is identical to the Original Teacher." The Notes on the Practices and Vows states: "Regarding 'having affinity': Amitābha's vows are weighty, especially receiving people of the Sahā [world]. Regarding 'relying with unified sentiment': if one hears that all ten directions are wondrous and mutually pervasive, then beginners would be vast and adrift with nothing to depend upon, hence they are expediently guided. Regarding 'not separate from the Flower Treasury': Utmost Bliss is only a hundred thousand koṭis of buddha-lands away from here, whereas all the buddha lands in the Avataṃsaka are as numerous as dust motes, hence it is not separate. Regarding 'identical to the Original Teacher': as the thirty-ninth fascicle of the sutra says, 'Or some see the Buddha of Immeasurable Life surrounded by Avalokiteśvara and others.' The commentary determines this, saying: 'It praises the virtues of the fundamental lord, Vairocana.' The commentary also says: 'The oceans of lands of the Flower Treasury are all the domain of Vairocana. The Buddha of Immeasurable Life is a hundred thousand koṭis away, and both do not go beyond the seed of lands. How could it not be that the Original Teacher transforms differently in accordance with names?'"