往生集 3.39

3.39

Chan Master Tianru said: 'When people today despise the Pure Land, they are not despising foolish men and foolish women; they are despising Mañjuśrī, Samantabhadra, Aśvaghoṣa, and Nāgārjuna.' I have therefore gathered various sūtras to substantiate his words. Some might still doubt, thinking that because the bodhisattva path is vast, there seems no need to seek rebirth. Alas! Unless one has attained the rank of Marvelous Enlightenment, even great sages of the equal rank cannot be separated from the Buddha for a single day, let alone those beneath them! This may be compared to official rank: the higher the nobility, the closer the audience with the ruler. Those carriers of burdens and holders of hoes who content themselves among fishermen and woodcutters have abandoned hope in the Ninefold Palace, and yet clamorously declare, 'The enlightened ruler is not worth drawing close to!' How laughable that is!