佛祖統紀 26.6

26.6

Remaining an ordinary person replete with afflictions, one can nevertheless use the wisdom of the threefold contemplation to manifest the Buddha of original nature. As Master Siming said: "Because mind and object cannot be apprehended, defilement can be contemplated as purity. Because dependent origination is not obstructed, when thought is accomplished, the marks arise. Because [all] is merely form and merely mind, it manifests right where one is." This is the correct secret key to the samādhi of contemplating the Buddha; only those who understand the school and attain its meaning can practice it. As for reciting the auspicious name, gazing upon and venerating the honored countenance, reciting Mahāyāna scriptures, and holding fast to pure precepts, these are all proper causes of pure karma and auxiliary practices for correct contemplation. Furthermore, by merely practicing the ten wholesome deeds and being benevolent and compassionate, one can also accomplish the merits of dedication and adornment. Thus, whether concentrated or distracted, whether wise or foolish, not a single capacity is left out. Although ascending the dais entails differences between gold and silver, and entering the grades has upper and lower ranks, when it comes to proceeding toward the unproduced and ascending to non-retrogression, all are alike. In this distant final age, those who ascend to Sukhāvatī by relying on vows and practices, recorded as having attained rebirth since Mount Lu, number barely three hundred persons. If one considers those in distant regions and foreign lands who could not be known, how could they not be as numerous as the sands of the Ganges? From this we know that among those in this realm who study the Buddha Way, capacities are sparse and obstacles are heavy, so one rarely hears of success; yet solely through the method of mindfulness of the Buddha, regardless of whether monastic or lay, all are sufficient to obtain realization in a single lifetime. Truly believable is this! Thus is composed the Treatise on the Establishment of the Pure Land Teaching.