廬山蓮宗寶鑑 5.2

5.2

The Mind-only land of joy is omnipresent throughout the ten directions; the Amitābha of one's own nature is perfectly fused in a single wisdom. It wonderfully responds to the realms of form and sound, and sheds its light between the mind and the eyes. Right within this, one turns away from delusion to return to truth, immediately turning one's back on dust to unite with enlightenment. In the past, our Dharmākara gave rise to vast vows and opened the mysterious path to Sukhāvatī; therefore, the Buddha, the World-Honoured One, pointed to the Western quarter to show the wonderful realm to Vaidehī, which all [Buddhas] universally praised with tongues covering [the universe]. When all other scriptures have perished, this alone will remain, because the joy and equanimity in benefiting beings is increased, and the measure of compassion in responding and transforming is vast. The teaching is divided into nine grades, thereby specially opening an expedient gateway; contemplation illuminates the one mind, truly a direct shortcut to return to the source. The gathering of sages and commoners is like a longtime traveler returning to his native village; the reciprocal response in the encounter with the Way is like an infant turning to a loving mother. If one is benighted to this supreme principle, every contact leads to delusion; if one has faith in this consummate discourse, every phenomenon is penetrated. Furthermore, the light of compassion and vows gathers one in, and the Buddha's power is inconceivable: floating with the current in a boat requires no effort of one's own, and pushing open a door into its socket—how could there be any other way? Where there is a vow, one is sure to be welcomed, and no spiritual capacity is left uncovered; a boat can ferry stones across, and hellfires are extinguished at once. Bodhisattvas and śrāvakas born there are measureless and countless; former worthies and later sages who attained the Way can be examined and sought out. Parrots and kalaviṅkas still expound the sounds of the Dharma; flying insects and wriggling creatures all receive the kindness of instructional transformation. The sacred realm is not empty, and the Buddha's words are not false. Why then sink into the depths of the waves of the river of attachment without sorrow, and burn in the flames of the burning house without fear? The dense web of delusion cannot be cut by the blade of shallow wisdom; the deeply planted root of doubt—how can the power of superficial faith pull it out? Thereupon, willingly giving in and rejoicing in misfortune and delighting in calamity, they conversely slander the pure land and greedily cling to the world of afflictions. Like scorched moths and rotten cocoons, they dwell in lingering calamities; like caged birds and fish in the cauldron, they conversely call it happiness. All this is because the power of goodness is feeble while the power of karma is strong; the roots of faith are few while the roots of sin are abundant. Therefore, the three realms are vast and vague, and the four modes of birth are in turmoil; all greedily cling to life in muddleheaded stupor, yet who understands how to return? All follow their karma endlessly, seeking no way of escape. In past births and deaths, wearing away stones would be hard to exhaust; in future saṃsāra, how could the city of mustard seeds come to an end? Were it not for good fortune in past lives, how could one encounter this cause? When the drum sounds to open the prison doors, one should hasten to escape; encountering a boat to save one from the disaster of drowning, how could one hesitate? Reverently comply with the golden texts and skillfully follow the Buddha's teaching; those who do not hear and do not understand are truly to be pitied and grieved. Moreover, this evil world of the five turbidities is engulfed in flames on all four sides; the Buddha alone has the power to rescue and deliver. Having heard the wonderful Dharma, one should plant pure causes; a single moment of sincere faith is the seed of myriad virtues. Aspire to equal the former philosophers, hoping to awaken to the true and constant; universally practice in accordance with what is spoken, and with all your heart, prostrate in reverence, accept with faith, and uphold it.