佛祖統紀 31.15

31.15

述曰。北洲人定千歲。故死不哭吊。佛不出生。故不聞佛法。此所以為八難之一也。昔人謂。列子載黃帝夢遊華胥氏之國者。即北洲也。未知其可。南洲有佛法可學故。大乘根器多生其中。以壽命短促眾苦逼迫故。怖畏發心勤修道行。此其所以為四洲之最勝也。

The commentary says: The people of the northern continent have a fixed lifespan of one thousand years, and therefore do not weep or mourn over death. Buddhas do not appear there, and therefore they do not hear the Buddha Dharma. This is why it is one of the eight difficulties. Ancient writers remarked that the *Liezi*'s account of the Yellow Emperor dreaming of wandering to the country of the Huaxu clan refers to the northern continent; it is not known whether this is correct. Because in the southern continent there is the Buddha Dharma to be learned, those of Mahāyāna capacity are mostly born into it. Because their lifespan is brief and hurried and they are oppressed by various sufferings, out of fear and dread they give rise to the mind [for bodhi] and diligently cultivate the practice of the Way. This is why it is the most superior among the four continents.