龍舒增廣淨土文 2.16

2.16

Yang Jie (style name Cigong) of Wuwei passed the highest civil service examinations in his youth and understood the fundamental tenets of the Chan school. He maintained that among sentient beings, capacities are sharp or dull; yet what is closest and easiest to understand, simplest and easiest to practice, is solely the Western Pure Land. Simply with single-minded contemplation and relying on the Buddha's vow power, one is born directly in Peaceful Nourishment. In his preface to Wang Minzhong's 'Resolving Doubts by Directly Pointing to the Pure Land', he wrote: 'The radiance of Amitābha Buddha is like a great round moon, shining everywhere throughout the ten directions. When the water is clear and still, the full form of the moon appears; yet the moon did not rush into the water to come. When the water is turbid and turbulent, the moon has no fixed light; yet the moon did not abandon the water to leave. In the water there is clarity and turbidity, motion and stillness; in the moon there is no taking or relinquishing, leaving or coming. Therefore the Avataṃsaka-sūtra records the Elder Muktaka saying: "I know that all Buddhas are like reflections, and my own mind is like water. Those Tathāgatas do not come here; if I wish to see the World of Peace and Joy, Amitābha Tathāgata is seen at will." From this it is known that if sentient beings focus their mindfulness, they are certain to see Amitābha, and if they are born in that land, they will be free from all suffering.' The Pratyutpanna-samādhi-sūtra says: 'Bodhisattva Bhadrapāla asked Śākyamuni Buddha: "How can future sentient beings come to see all the Buddhas of the ten directions?" The Buddha instructed him to be mindful of Amitābha Buddha, and he would immediately see all the Buddhas of the ten directions.' Furthermore, the Mahāratnakūṭa-sūtra says: 'If sentient beings of other directions hear the name of the Tathāgata Amitāyus, and are able to give rise to even a single thought of pure faith, rejoicing and taking delight, dedicating all roots of goodness with the vow to be born in that land, they will be reborn according to their vow and attain non-retrogression.' These are all the Buddha's words. If one does not believe the Buddha's words, what words can be believed? If one is not born in the Pure Land, what land can one be born in? Dongpo said: 'In his later years, Cigong served as the Salt Commission governor. He often painted a sixteen-foot image of Amitābha Buddha and traveled with it, making offerings and contemplating it. When his life came to an end, he was moved by the Buddha coming to welcome him, and passed away sitting upright.'