佛祖統紀 30.46

30.46

The commentary states: Those followers who have not attained liberation under Śākyamuni's bequeathed teachings are entrusted to Maitreya. Those of Maitreya's bequeathed teachings are entrusted to the nine hundred and ninety-four Buddhas. These various bequeathed teachings are successively entrusted from one to the next, and finally entrusted to Rocana. In Rocana's era, beings are very easy to transform and save; if someone still does not attain liberation then, they can truly be called dullest of the dull. Beings of such dullest capacity cannot avoid waiting until the Constellation Kalpa. How sorrowful! To meet the bequeathed teachings life after life, even if one has not yet escaped, is still fortunate. But if during this time one commits the gravest evil and enters the Unremitting [Hell] for long kalpas, then one turns one's back on the Buddhas; this is truly lamentable. For example, when Maudgalyāyana entered hell to inquire after Devadatta, the hell-warden replied, 'Here we have the Devadatta of Kāśyapa Buddha's time, and the Devadatta of Śākyamuni Buddha's time; which one do you wish to ask after?' Although this was a great provisional manifestation beyond ordinary measure, yet the provisional must lead to the real; how could there not be those experiencing the actual retribution? In this final age, practice in this land has teaching but no realization. If one wishes to pray for easy liberation, nothing is better than dedicating oneself to the practice of rebirth in the Pure Land; then once one ascends to the non-arising, one dwells forever in non-retrogression. When later Buddhas bring about transformations, one can then ride on one's vows to come as part of the retinue who assist by their presence. I leave these words to those with aspiration: you should consider striving forward.