無量壽經義記卷下 1.18

1.18

一向專意乃至十念念無量壽佛者。此是下輩中品人也。明此行人。或毀犯五戒八戒及具足戒。如此愚人。偷僧祇物。盜現前僧物。不淨說法無有慚愧。以諸罪而自莊嚴。如此罪人。以惡發故應墮地獄。命欲終時。地獄眾火一時俱至。遇善知識。為說阿彌陀佛十力威德。廣說彼佛光明神力　亦讚戒定慧解脫解脫知見。此人聞已得除八十億劫生死之罪。地獄猛火化為涼風。吹諸天華。華上皆有化佛菩薩。迎接此人。如一念頃。即得往生七寶池中。在蓮華中。經六劫蓮華方開。觀世音大勢志。以梵聲音安慰彼人。為說大乘甚深經典。聞此法已即發無上道心。是下輩中品人也。

“Exclusively concentrating the mind, even down to ten thoughts, being mindful of Amitāyus” refers to a person of the middle tier of the lowest class. This explains that this practitioner may transgress the five precepts, the eight precepts, or the full precepts. Such a foolish person steals property belonging to the Saṅgha, steals property belonging to the present assembly of monks, or preaches the Dharma with an impure mind without shame or remorse, adorning themselves with various sins. Such a sinner, on account of evil karmas, is bound to fall into hell. When their life is about to end, all the fires of hell arrive at the same time. They encounter a good friend who expounds for them the majestic virtue of Amitābha's ten powers, extensively explaining that Buddha's radiant spiritual power, and also praising morality, concentration, wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge and vision of liberation. Upon hearing this, this person has sins of birth and death spanning eight billion kalpas eliminated. The raging fires of hell turn into a cool breeze, blowing various heavenly flowers upon which transformation-buddhas and bodhisattvas are seated, welcoming this person. In as little as a single thought-moment, they straightaway attain rebirth in the seven-jewelled pond. Dwelling within the lotus flower, only after six kalpas does the lotus flower open. Avalokiteśvara and Mahāsthāmaprāpta comfort that person with brahmā sounds and expound the profoundly deep Mahāyāna scriptures for them. Having heard this Dharma, they immediately generate the resolve for the unexcelled enlightenment. This is a person of the middle tier of the lowest class.