樂邦遺稿 1.83

1.83

The Tiantai Treatise on the Ten Doubts says: 'Now wishing to be determined to seek rebirth, I do not know what practices one should cultivate? Furthermore, laypeople all have wives and children and do not sever sexual desire; can they still attain rebirth there? Answer: If one is determined to be born, one must be endowed with two practices. The first is the practice of revulsion and detachment. Constantly contemplate this body as pus, blood, feces, urine, foul fluids, and stench. First, contemplate that this body of sexual desire is born from craving and affection, which is impurity of the seed. Second, contemplate that the union of father and mother with red and white mingling is impurity of conception. Third, dwelling in the womb of the mother is impurity of dwelling place. Fourth, while in the mother's womb feeding solely on maternal blood is impurity of nourishment. Fifth, when the months are full and it emerges from the birth canal, this is impurity of initial birth. Sixth, the pus and blood inside the body is impurity of the entire form. Seventh, after death swelling up and rotting away is ultimate impurity. As one contemplates oneself in this way, one also contemplates the one one loves in the same way. By contemplating like this, even if sexual relations with a wife cannot be severed all at once, they will gradually diminish. The second is the practice of aspiration and vow. The reason one seeks rebirth is out of the desire to rescue all sentient beings from suffering. Thereafter, raising the mind to form thoughts, one fixes upon Amitābha Buddha's golden marks and excellences, and further contemplates the seven-jewel adornments and wonderful bliss of that land. This is called the gate of aspiration and vow.'