廬山蓮宗寶鑑 3.24

3.24

Those who do not cultivate pure karma say: 'We let our minds roam in dhyāna absorption and awaken to the true lineage of the nature.' Or, hearing the Pure Land spoken of, they invariably say: 'The Pure Land is Mind-only; since my mind is already pure, the land is pure—what need is there to seek a separate place of rebirth?' Jishi said: 'Furthermore, the Vimalakīrti-sūtra says: "The Tathāgata pressed the earth with his toe, and saw that the Sahā realm was entirely adorned and pure, yet the assembly did not see it; only Brahma Śikhin was able to know it." Can those today who speak of awakening to the nature see the Pure Land like Brahma Śikhin? Moreover, dwelling in humble and lowly rooms, you will surely envy grand mansions and high halls; eating husked millet and goosefoot soup, you will surely envy fine delicacies and supreme tastes; wearing tattered robes and coarse hemp, you will surely envy silk damask and light gauze. If you say that when the mind is pure the land is pure, then there is no need for such distinctions. Furthermore, when facing the sufferings of old age, illness, and death, and the adversities of the worldly realm, your facial expression is the same as that of the unawakened. In that case, your mouth chants words of "when the mind is pure the land is pure", while your body is bound by the afflictions and suffering of the defiled land; this is self-deception at its extreme. If not so, one should surely have faith in the teachings and revere principle, and accordingly cultivate towards the Pure Land.'