廬山蓮宗寶鑑 7.13

7.13

The record states: 'Our fundamental teacher Śākyamuni Tathāgata spoke these words: Going west from here past a hundred thousand koṭis of Buddha-lands, there is a world named Sukhāvatī, because it is free of the eight sufferings and the four evil destinies. That land is named Pure Land, because it is free of the three poisons and the five turbidities. That Buddha is named Amitābha, because his lifespan is immeasurable, his vows are immeasurable, and his merit, marks, and radiance are immeasurable. When carefully examining this Sahā world, among sentient beings, whether wise or foolish, noble or lowly, young or elderly, whenever they give rise to the mind to take refuge in the Buddha, they raise their hands, join their palms, and face west; whenever they have fears, distress, and afflictions, they open their mouths and utter a sound, always first reciting the name of Amitābha Buddha. Furthermore, when casting metal, molding clay, carving stone, embroidering silk, or even imprinting water and piling up sand in children's play, none do not take Amitābha as the foremost, doing so spontaneously without knowing why. From this observation, it is evident that that Tathāgata has a great vow toward these sentient beings, and that these sentient beings have great karmic affinity with that land. Were it not so, then as the Buddhas of south, north, east, west, past, present, and future are exceedingly numerous, why would it be only like this? Why would it be only like this! Bai Juyi, Grand Master for Palace Accord and Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince under the Tang, in the years of his decline and old age, was afflicted with wind-stroke paralysis. Thereupon he gave his salary and ordered the artisan Du Jingzong to paint a complete Western World based on the two sūtras, the *Amitābha* and *Wuliangshou*, nine feet high and thirteen feet wide. Amitābha Buddha sits in the center; the two great beings Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta attend on his left and right; humans and devas gaze in reverence, and their retinues surround them. Towers, pavilions, instrumental music, water, trees, flowers, and birds, adorned with the seven treasures and displayed in five colors, are resplendent and radiant, their merits perfected. Disciple Juyi burns incense, bows his head, kneels before the Buddha, gives rise to a compassionate mind, and makes a great vow: May this merit be dedicated to all sentient beings. All sentient beings who are old like me or sick like me—may they leave suffering and obtain bliss, sever evil and cultivate good; without leaving the southern continent, may they behold the western quarter; may the great light of the white curl respond to their thought and appear; may they attain rebirth as they wish on the highest grade of the blue lotus. From the present body to the end of the future, may they constantly draw near and make offerings.' Desiring to restate this meaning, he uttered a praise, saying: / 'The World of Sukhāvatī, the pure land, / Is free of all evil destinies and all sufferings. / May those who are old and sick like myself / Be reborn together in the abode of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life.'