無量壽經義記卷下 1.23

1.23

第三從諸佛告菩薩此下有八行。明十方諸佛歎諸菩薩。令修萬行往近彼國也。第四從聲聞若菩薩此下訖偈。明佛智深遠非二乘十地之所測也。就第一階中東方諸佛土。此下二偈明恒沙菩薩住至彼土也。各齎天妙華。此下二偈明菩薩齎妙華音樂以供養佛也。究達神通慧。此下二偈歎佛智慧深遠無與等者也。見彼嚴淨土。此一偈明菩薩見西方淨土。發心願得淨土亦如是也。第二階中應時無量壽尊。此下二偈持欲為說淨果先現客咲及以放光也。大士觀世音。此一偈明觀世音因機致請也。梵音猶雷震。此一偈明阿彌陀佛將欲說法。先誡勅令殷重心。十方來正士。此下四偈如來為說一切萬法如幻如夢。若能深達此理淨土即便可階也。就第三階中諸佛告菩薩。此二偈勸人發心往生彼國。明十方佛令菩薩皆得記受得清淨妙土也。其佛本願力。此一偈明無量壽佛有昔本願力往生者有利益也。菩薩興至願。此下二偈勸令修淨因。必獲於淨果。所得果報不異西方也。若人無善本。此下三偈明善能修因者得聞彼妙法。不修因者不得聞此法也。第四階從聲聞或菩薩勸人莫強思量佛智。明聲聞菩薩不能測佛智。何況凡夫能測佛智也。下已盲人聲聞智。從如來智慧海深廣無崖底。四偈歎佛智慧難得測量。壽命亦難得辯。不但壽命難得辯。佛出世亦難得值。不但佛出世難值。值佛生信亦難。若有智慧生信即易。無慧則難也。

The third [section], from "The buddhas addressed the bodhisattvas" onward, consists of eight lines. It explains that the buddhas of the ten directions praise the bodhisattvas and cause them to cultivate the myriad practices and go draw near to that land. The fourth [section], from "Śrāvakas or bodhisattvas" down to the end of the verses, explains that the Buddha's wisdom is deep and vast, and cannot be fathomed by the two vehicles or the ten bhūmis. Within the first level, from "Buddha-lands of the eastern direction" onward, two verses explain that bodhisattvas [as numerous as] the sands of the Ganges go to that land. From "Each carrying celestial wondrous flowers" onward, two verses explain that the bodhisattvas bring wondrous flowers and music to make offerings to the Buddha. From "Fully comprehending supernormal knowledges and wisdom" onward, two verses praise the Buddha's wisdom as deep and vast, with none to equal it. "Seeing that adorned pure land"—this single verse explains that the bodhisattvas, seeing the pure land of the Western Direction, generate the aspiration wishing to attain a pure land just like it. Within the second level, from "Appropriately, the Honoured One of Immeasurable Life" onward, two verses explain that, wishing to expound the pure fruit, he first manifests a gentle smile and emits light. "The mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara"—this single verse explains that Avalokiteśvara presents a request in accordance with the capacity [of the audience]. "The brahmā sound like rolling thunder"—this single verse explains that Amitābha, about to expound the Dharma, first admonishes and enjoins them to have a mind of earnest reverence. From "Right beings coming from the ten directions" onward, four verses explain that the Tathāgata expounds for them how all myriad dharmas are like illusions and dreams; if one can deeply penetrate this principle, the pure land may immediately be attained. Within the third level, "The buddhas addressed the bodhisattvas"—these two verses encourage people to generate the aspiration to be reborn in that land, explaining that the buddhas of the ten directions cause the bodhisattvas all to receive prophecies and attain pure, wondrous lands. "The power of that Buddha's original vows"—this single verse explains that Amitāyus has the power of his past original vows, so that those who are reborn [there] attain benefit. From "Bodhisattvas give rise to supreme vows" onward, two verses encourage them to cultivate pure causes, whereby they will certainly obtain pure fruits, and the karmic fruition attained will not differ from the Western Direction. From "If people lack wholesome roots" onward, three verses explain that those who are skilled in cultivating causes are able to hear that wondrous Dharma, while those who do not cultivate causes are unable to hear this Dharma. The fourth level, from "Śrāvakas or bodhisattvas", encourages people not to force their reckoning of the Buddha's wisdom, explaining that śrāvakas and bodhisattvas cannot fathom the Buddha's wisdom, much less can ordinary beings fathom the Buddha's wisdom. Below, [the text] has already [compared] the wisdom of a blind person to that of a śrāvaka. From "The ocean of the Tathāgata's wisdom is deep, vast, and bottomless", four verses praise the Buddha's wisdom as difficult to measure and his lifespan as difficult to discern. Not only is his lifespan difficult to discern, but a buddha's appearance in the world is also difficult to encounter. Not only is a buddha's appearance in the world difficult to encounter, but encountering a buddha and giving rise to faith is also difficult. If one has wisdom, giving rise to faith is easy; if one lacks wisdom, it is difficult.