無量壽經義記卷下 1.22

1.22

爾時世尊而說頌曰者。此下凡有三十偈。悉是釋迦頌彼佛德也。大判此偈凡作四階明義。第一有七行。總歎十方菩薩以華香音樂供養彼願得淨土。如西方無異也。第二從應時無量尊此下有八行。明彼佛應其所請。為說妙行必登淨果也。

“At that time the Bhagavat spoke verses, saying”: below this, there are thirty verses in total, all of which are Śākyamuni praising that Buddha's virtues. Broadly analyzing these verses, they are divided into four tiers to explain the meaning. The first consists of seven lines, which generally praise the bodhisattvas of the ten directions for offering flowers, incense, and music, aspiring to attain a pure land no different from the West. The second begins with “In response, the Immeasurable Honored One...”; below this are eight lines, explaining that that Buddha responds to their entreaty by expounding marvelous practices for them, so that they are certain to attain the pure fruition.