淨土或問 1.12

1.12

Question: Containing and gathering without remainder, I believe in the greatness of mind-only. Perfectly interfused and unobstructed, I believe in the wonder of mind-only. But if we are still bogged down in deluded sentiments and have not parted from defiled karma, by what means will our land of mind-only become pure?

Answer: When the mind is defiled, the land is defiled; when the mind is pure, the land is pure. Therefore the Vimalakīrti-sūtra says: 'If one wishes to attain a pure land, one must purify one's mind. In accordance with the purity of one's mind, the Buddha-land is purified.' Now, if one wishes to purify one's mind, aside from the method of cultivating the Pure Land, there is no other way.