淨土生無生論 1.41

1.41

The Buddhas and sentient beings share the same source of awakening; though delusion and awakening differ, the principle is constantly equal. Therefore it is said: 'The Buddhas are the Buddhas within the minds of sentient beings, and sentient beings are the sentient beings within the minds of the Buddhas.' Tracing back according to this, the quintessence of the minds of the Buddhas and sentient beings is never at any time not interconnected and harmonious. However, the Buddhas at all times wish to deliver sentient beings, while sentient beings in thought after thought turn away from them in delusion. Thus Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva said: 'If one person concentrates on recollecting, and the other concentrates on forgetting, then even if they meet, it is as if they do not meet; even if they see each other, it is as if they do not see each other. If a child recollects its mother just as the mother recollects the child, mother and child through successive lives will not be separated or distant. If the minds of sentient beings remember the Buddha and recite the Buddha's name, they will certainly see the Buddha in the present or in the future, and will not be far from the Buddha.' Precisely because the one principle is equal and their natural essence is interconnected, suffering can be removed and joy bestowed effortlessly. How much more so given that Amitāyus Buddha made forty-eight vows in his causal stage, vowing to establish Ultimate Bliss and gather in sentient beings, and now the fruit of the Way has long been attained and his great armor of vows has long been fulfilled! Therefore, the multitude of sentient beings need not worry that the Buddha will not come in response; they should only have deep faith, recollect, and make vows aspiring to be born in the West, just as a lodestone effortlessly attracts a needle. However, a magnet can attract iron but cannot attract copper; a needle can unite with a magnet but cannot unite with jade. This is analogous to how a Buddha can deliver those who have conditions, but cannot deliver those without conditions. Sentient beings easily stimulate Amitābha, but do not easily stimulate other Buddhas—is this not because the vows between these beings and the Buddha are interconnected? Therefore, for those who seek birth in the Pure Land, not one of faith, vow, and practice can be lacking.