龍舒增廣淨土文 4.52

4.52

The Buddha said: 'Those who wish to be born in the Pure Land should cultivate the three kinds of merit. First, being filial and supportive toward parents, serving teachers and elders, having a compassionate mind without killing, and cultivating the ten wholesome actions. Second, receiving and upholding the three refuges, being fully equipped with the various precepts, and not transgressing deportment. Third, giving rise to the bodhi-mind, having deep faith in cause and effect, reading and reciting the Mahāyāna, and encouraging practitioners to advance. These are the proper causes for the pure karma of the Buddhas of the three periods of time.' The three refuges refer to taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha.