無量壽經義記卷下 1.16

1.16

多少修善奉持齋戒訖散華燒香者。此是中輩下品人願生彼國。明此行人。孝養父母行世仁善。此人臨欲終時。遇善知識。為其廣說阿彌陀佛國土妙樂。亦為說法藏比丘四十八願。聞此事已尋即命終。如人屈伸臂頃。即生西方極樂世界。終七日遇觀世音及大勢志。聞法歡憙。過一小劫成阿羅漢道。是名中輩下品人也。以此迴向願生彼國訖如次如上輩者也。此總明中輩三品人願生西方。而彼佛與諸大眾來相迎接也。

“To some extent cultivating goodness and upholding the precepts and fasts, down to scattering flowers and burning incense” refers to a person of the lower tier of the middle class who aspires to be reborn in that land. This explains that this practitioner is filial to their parents and practices mundane benevolence and goodness. When this person is on the verge of death, they encounter a good friend who extensively expounds to them the marvelous bliss of Amitābha's land, and also expounds for them Bhikṣu Dharmākara's forty-eight vows. Having heard this matter, their life immediately comes to an end; as swiftly as a person bends or stretches their arm, they are straightaway reborn in the Western Sukhāvatī realm. After seven days they encounter Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta; hearing the Dharma, they are filled with joy, and after one minor kalpa they accomplish the arhat path. This is called a person of the lower tier of the middle class. The text from “dedicating this, aspiring to be reborn in that land” down to “in order, just like the highest class” generally explains how the three tiers of persons of the middle class aspire to be reborn in the West, and that Buddha together with his great assembly comes to welcome them.