樂邦文類 5.67

5.67

Amitābha's precious domain bears the auspicious name of Peaceful Nurture; situated in the reward land, it is utmost bliss, and among the ten directions it is the most pure. Through the sixteen contemplations, one cultivates a concentrated mind and is secretly reborn there; by means of the forty-eight vows, one stirs even a distracted mind and attains transformation-birth. Thus, throughout one's life one upholds them, and for a lifetime takes refuge. Immortals ride clouds to listen to the Dharma; from the empty realm, chants are performed in praise and singing. In person one ascends the purple-gold dais, proving the original vows were not in vain; within the white jade urna, one's spirit transforms, celebrating one's single mind. In detail, the broad and long tongue praises it, and the ten lands proclaim it in unison; one need only fix the mind and all will be aligned—it was not casually conceived nor falsely transmitted. The earth's axis revolves; heavenly flowers scatter before one. In a single thought, when the lotus blossoms, one sees the Buddha and all ascend to the wondrous fruit; bathed in a thousand layers of light, one realizes the Dharma and takes one's place among the former sages. Examining antiquity and inferring the present, instances of rebirth are not one: when the karmic fortune arrives, heavenly music fills the sky; when the hour comes, wondrous fragrance permeates the chamber. Although the appearances manifested in the single true realm rely on the Buddha's majesty, the sights beheld in the seven-jeweled ponds all arise from one's own mind. Therefore we know that the holy intention is unfathomable, and spiritual resonance endures. Transforming the ordinary into the sagely takes but an instant; turning delusion into awakening is radiant and clear. Drawing forth the immortal texts, this is truly the art of long life; pointing the way back to the pure realm, one dwells forever in the homeland of immortality. Furthermore, there are eminent persons who transcend the world and great beings who dwell among the dust: they burn their bodies and arms to initiate practice; they hang their viscera and hold their hearts to establish standards. When celestial music comes to welcome them, they do not follow; when heavenly boys invite their fate, they are not pleased. Or atop fire-blazing mountains, within realms of radiant light, they never hear the names of evil destinies, and forever abandon the baseness of the womb-prison. With open eyes and firm tongues, confirmation appears at once; cattle butting and chickens pecking abruptly cease. Confined to an iron city, they resist the king's decree, solely following their sincere heart; seated on a lotus dais, they rely on the Buddha's grace, finding it hard to abandon the ultimate truth. Even if someone has slandered the Three Jewels and broken the monastic rules, when the wind-knives are about to sever the body and the karmic mirror reflects the form, meeting a spiritual friend who manifests the inconceivable, the forest of swords turns into seven rows of trees, and the chariot of fire transforms into the lotus pond of eight virtues. Hell vanishes away; serene and clear, the terrified heart completely ceases; heavenly flowers fly and lead, and suddenly a transformation Buddha welcomes them. With the eye of wisdom and an illuminated mind, the incense burner drops from the hand; matching the prophecy, the lotus does not wither, and having received the prediction, one does not tarry long in the jeweled grove. How extraordinary! The Buddha's power is inconceivable, unprecedented in all of history!