西方合論 3.14

3.14

First, the Śūraṅgama-sūtra says that Mahāsthāmaprāpta addressed the Buddha: "I remember that in the past, Ganges sands of kalpas ago, a Buddha appeared in the world named Boundless Light. Twelve Tathāgatas succeeded one another in one kalpa, and the final Buddha was named Light Surpassing Sun and Moon. That Buddha taught me the buddhānusmṛti-samādhi. Suppose there are two people: one constantly remembers, while the other constantly forgets. If these two should meet, it is as if they had not met; or if they see each other, it is as if they had not seen each other. But if both remember each other and their mutual remembrance is deep, then from life to life they will be like form and shadow, never departing from one another. The Tathāgatas of the ten directions have compassionate concern for sentient beings just as a mother remembers her child. If the child runs away, what is the use of her remembering? If the child remembers his mother just as the mother remembers him, then mother and child will pass through lives without growing distant. If the minds of sentient beings remember the Buddha and practice buddhānusmṛti, then in the present or in the future they are certain to see the Buddha. They are not far from the Buddha; without relying on expedient means, their minds naturally open, just like someone perfumed with incense who naturally carries a fragrant aroma on their body. This is called the adornment of fragrant light. In my original causal ground, with the mind of buddhānusmṛti, I entered the patience of non-arising; now in this world, I gather those who practice buddhānusmṛti and bring them to return to the Pure Land."