廬山蓮宗寶鑑 7.9

7.9

The eighth fascicle of the Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom states: 'Question: "Since the practices and deeds of the bodhisattvas are pure, they naturally obtain superior retributions; why must they establish vows and only then attain them? Furthermore, just as a farming family obtains grain, how could they wait for a vow?" Answer: "Creating merit without vows leaves nothing established. The vow serves as the guide, able to bring about achievement. As the Buddha said: if a person cultivates slight merit and slight precepts, unaware of the correct cause of liberation, and hearing tell of the pleasures of humans and devas, their mind constantly aspires and delights in them, after the end of life they will each be born among them; this is entirely brought about by the power of vows. A bodhisattva's seeking rebirth in the Pure Land depends upon strong and firm aspirations, and only then is it attained. From this it is known that due to the power of that vow, one receives the superior fruit."' An ancient master of virtue said: 'The Buddha-fruit is far and supreme, yet ascending to it has its steps; the Dharma-cloud is lofty and ultimate, yet reaching it has its stages. When the great mind is first generated, its profound virtue illuminates future lives; as soon as the vast vow is raised, the wondrous resolve pervades the realm of space. A single thought arousing resolve is an auspicious flower of dust-like eons; half a moment of devout reverence is the amṛta of the great trichiliocosm.' The Mahālaṃkāra-śāstra states: 'The great matter of a Buddha-land cannot be accomplished by solitary practice of merit alone; it requires the assistance of the power of vows to guide and accomplish it. Because of the power of vows, blessed virtue increases and is neither lost nor destroyed, and one will be reborn in a Buddha-land and see the Buddha according to one's vows.' The Avataṃsaka-sūtra says: 'When that person's life draws to an end, in the final instant, all faculties are scattered and destroyed, all relatives are left behind, and all majesty and power fall away, up to elephants, horses, carriages, vehicles, and hidden stores of precious jewels—none of these will follow any longer. Only this King of Vows does not leave them behind, guiding them forward at all times, so that in an instant they are reborn in the World of Sukhāvatī.'