六祖大師法寶壇經 1.56

1.56

The Master said: "Envoy, listen well; Huineng will explain it for you. When the World-Honoured One was in the city of Śrāvastī, he spoke of the Western Direction to guide and transform beings. The scripture is clear: it is not far from here. If spoken of in terms of characteristics, the distance is one hundred and eight thousand leagues, which is the ten evils and eight wrongs within the body; that is why it is said to be far. It is said to be far for those of inferior capacity, and close for those of superior wisdom. People are of two kinds, but the Dharma is not two things. Delusion and awakening differ, and seeing may be slow or swift. Deluded people recite the Buddha's name seeking to be reborn there; awakened people purify their own minds. Therefore the Buddha said: 'In accordance with the purity of one's mind, the Buddha-land is purified.' Envoy, you are an easterner; if only your mind is pure, you are without fault. Even a westerner, if their mind is impure, commits transgressions. When an easterner commits sin, they recite the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the West. When a westerner commits sin, reciting the Buddha's name, in what land should they seek rebirth? Common and foolish people do not understand their svabhāva and do not recognise the pure land within their bodies, wishing for the East or wishing for the West. For awakened people, every place is the same. Therefore the Buddha said: 'Wherever one abides, there is constant peace and joy.' Envoy, if only the ground of your mind is free of unwholesomeness, the West is not far from here. If you harbor an unwholesome mind, it will be difficult to attain rebirth by reciting the Buddha's name. Now I urge you, good friends, first eliminate the ten evils and you will have traversed the one hundred thousand; next eliminate the eight wrongs and you will have crossed the eight thousand. In thought after thought seeing into one's nature, constantly practicing what is level and straightforward, you will arrive as quickly as a finger-snap, immediately seeing Amitābha. Envoy, if you only practice the ten virtues, what need is there to wish for rebirth? If you do not sever the mind of the ten evils, which Buddha would come to welcome you? If you awaken to the sudden Dharma of non-arising, seeing the West takes only a kṣaṇa. If you do not awaken and recite the Buddha's name seeking rebirth, the road is far—how can you reach it? Huineng can move the West for all of you in a kṣaṇa, so that you see it right before your eyes. Do each of you wish to see it?"