樂邦遺稿 1.28

1.28

The Miaozong jie of Siming states: "In the preceding eighth contemplation of the image, it resembles the Buddha's body. Now, contrasted with that resemblance, it is named 'the true.' However, these physical marks belong to the body of actual reward (saṃbhogakāya) and respond to beings of the land where commoners and sages dwell together; it is also called the venerable and extraordinary [body], and also called the superior responsive [body]. Yet it is spoken of as the Dharma body because both the reward and responsive cultivations are entirely inherent in the nature. Further below it states: 'Amitābha's eighty-four thousand marks and signs.' This is that Tathāgata manifesting a wondrous and extraordinary body to augment the buddhānusmṛti-samādhi of those in advanced stages; it is not within the reach of ordinary beings' mental capacities." It also states: "Practitioners should know that the three contemplations cultivated since the sun contemplation are shared with phenomenal dhyāna, subduing the afflictions of thought of the three realms. When, through the wondrous contemplation of the image, thought is shattered, one immediately ascends to the seventh stage of faith. Only after attaining this stage may one contemplate the Buddha's true Dharma body. When the eighty-four thousand marks appear, only then is it named buddhānusmṛti-samādhi. The marks revealed by such perfect contemplation are truly wondrous and extraordinary, genuinely not the marks ordinarily seen by ordinary beings of physical birth and the Small Vehicle."