樂邦文類 2.94

2.94

Considering that the Buddhas pity sentient beings for their delusion and blindness, and devise many expedients to guide and rescue them, it is only the pure karma of Peaceful Nurture that is swift, direct, and practicable to cultivate. The Mahāyāna sūtras all disclose this essential point, and not one of the Buddhas of the ten directions fails to praise it. If the four assemblies of monks [and nuns] as well as good men and women, whether possessing intact or defective sense faculties, wish to swiftly shatter all darkness of avidyā, and wish to extinguish forever the grave sins of committing the five rebellious acts, the ten unwholesome deeds, and breaking the prohibitions, as well as the remaining minor faults, they should cultivate this practice. If they wish to restore the purity of the major and minor precepts, obtain the buddha-mindfulness samādhi in the present, and fully possess all the pāramitā gateways of the bodhisattvas, they should study this practice. If they wish at the approach of death to be free from all terrors, with body and mind secure, peaceful, and joyfully content as though returning home; with light illuminating the chamber, extraordinary fragrance and heavenly music; with Amitābha Buddha, Avalokiteśvara, and Mahāsthāmaprāpta appearing before them, bringing a purple-gold dais and extending their hands to welcome and guide them; cutting horizontally across the five destinies, galloping far through the nine grades; casting away feverish afflictions to rest in pure coolness; reaching non-retrogression upon first departing dusty toil, and attaining the forbearance of non-arising without undergoing kalpas of time—they should study this practice. If they wish to cultivate a small practice yet evoke a wondrous retribution, to have all the Buddhas of the ten directions simultaneously offer praise and bestow present predictions [of buddhahood], to make offerings to countless Buddhas in a single thought-moment and immediately return to their native realm to sit and take meals with Amitābha, discuss the Dharma with Avalokiteśvara, and walk stride for stride with Mahāsthāmaprāpta; with eyes and ears seeing and hearing with penetrating clarity, bodily size immeasurable, flying through the void at will, knowing past lives clearly, seeing everywhere the five destinies like images on a mirror's surface, and entering inexhaustible samādhis in thought after thought—since praises such as these can never be exhausted, one ought to cultivate this supreme Dharma. All that has been spoken is true and not vain; the Buddhas of the ten directions extend their broad and long tongues to praise this matter so as to show it is without falsehood. How could we dare not believe the Buddhas? Now, drawing from the various Pure Land sūtras, this liturgical practice is established. If you wish to know more broadly, consult the sūtras for further benefit.