諸經要集 1.57

1.57

Dharma Master Xuanzang said: 'In the West, both monastics and laity cultivate karma for Maitreya. Because it is in the same desire realm, this practice is easy to accomplish. Masters of both the Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna accept this method. As for Amitābha's pure land, it is feared that ordinary people, being base and defiled, will find it difficult to accomplish the practice. According to the older scriptures and treatises, bodhisattvas of the tenth ground and above behold the pure land of the reward-body Buddha according to their capacity. According to the meaning of the new treatises, only bodhisattvas of the third ground can begin to behold the pure land of the reward-body Buddha. How could ordinary persons of the lowest grade immediately attain rebirth there? This was intended for another time and cannot be taken as definitive. Therefore, the Mahāyāna in the West accepts it, while the Hīnayāna does not.' For this reason, throughout his entire life the Dharma Master constantly cultivated karma for Maitreya. When his life was coming to an end, he made vows to ascend for rebirth and behold Maitreya Buddha, and he requested the assembly to chant this verse together: