廬山蓮宗寶鑑 9.4

9.4

The Da Amituo jing, in the chapter 'Merits of Bodhisattvas', states: 'Those who are reborn in that land are all gentle and mild in countenance, fully endowed with the marks and signs. Their dhyāna-concentration and wisdom penetrate without hindrance, and their supernatural powers and majestic virtue are thoroughly perfected. Deeply entering the Dharma-gates, they possess the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas, and completely and thoroughly comprehend the secret treasury of the Buddhas. Subduing their sense faculties, their bodies and minds are gentle and pliant; peaceful and tranquil, they fully reach parinirvāṇa; deeply entering correct wisdom, they have no residual habits remaining. Relying on the noble path of the seven limbs of awakening walked by the Buddha, cultivating the five eyes, they illumine the ultimate and comprehend the conventional. Their eloquence and dhāraṇī are unhindered and sovereign, and they skillfully understand the boundless expedients of the world. What they utter is truthful and sincere, deeply entering the flavor of meaning; expounding the correct Dharma, they deliver all sentient beings. Viewing the three realms equally as empty and nonexistent, they know all dharmas to be markless and unconditioned; without grasping or discarding, they are far removed from inverted views. Firm and unmoving as Mount Sumeru; their wisdom is luminous as the sun; vast as the ocean, they produce the treasures of merit; blazing as fire, they burn away the fuel of afflictions; forbearing as the earth, all is equal to them; pure as water, they wash away all dust and defilements; like empty space, they are boundless and do not obstruct anything; like a lotus flower emerging from water, they are free from all taint; like the rumble of thunder, they emit the sound of the Dharma; like dense clouds, they send down the rain of the Dharma; like the wind stirring trees, they give rise to the sprouts of bodhi; like the voice of the ox-king, they differ from the herd of cattle; like the majesty of the nāga-elephant, they are difficult to fathom; like a fine horse's stride, their vehicle never stumbles; like the lion-king, they are free of fear; like the nyagrodha tree, their protective shade is vast; like the utpala flower, they are difficult to encounter; like a vajra pestle, they shatter the mountains of heresy; like the body of Brahmā, they bring forth the Brahmā assembly; like the garuḍa, they conquer poisonous dragons; like birds in the sky, they leave no trace where they abide; like the snow-covered mountains, they illumine the purity of merit; like Maitreya's contemplation, they treat the dharmadhātu equally. Single-mindedly delighting in seeking the Dharma, their minds are never satiated; always wishing to explain it widely, their resolve knows no weariness. They strike the Dharma drum, erect the Dharma banner, make the sun of wisdom shine, and eliminate foolish darkness. Cultivating the six harmonies and reverences, they are always teachers and guides, acting as bright lamps for the world; they are the supreme fields of merit to bring peace to all beings. With extraordinary merit and wisdom, there is none who does not revere them. Respectfully making offerings to immeasurable Buddhas, they are constantly praised together by all the Buddhas. Perfectly fulfilling all the pāramitās of a bodhisattva, they are far removed from the ground of the śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas.' The Buddha said to Ānanda: 'Because those bodhisattvas practice buddhānusmṛti, they accomplish such immeasurable merits as these. I have only summarized the essentials for you; if I were to explain them in detail, even exhausting billions of kalpas, I could not exhaust them.'