净土之池水、金沙、阶道、楼阁与莲花
[21] Pure Land’s Ponds, Water, Sand, Stairs, Paths, Towers, Pavilions And Lotus Flowers
丁二、广释：
D2: Broad Explanation:
分二：初、别释所受，二、合释能受所受。
Divided [In] Two [Parts]: First, Further Explanation [On] That Received, Second, Combined Explanation [Of Those] Able [To] Receive [And] Those Received.
戊初、别释所受
E1: Further Explanation [Of] Those Received
又二：初、释生处，二、结示佛力。
Also [In] Two [Parts]: First, Explanation [Of] Birthplaces, Second, Conclusive Teaching [On] Buddha’s Power.
己初、释生处
F1: Explanation [Of] Birthplaces
【经】: 又舍利弗，极乐国土，有七宝池，八功德水，充满其中。池底，纯以金沙布地。四边阶道，金、银、琉璃、玻瓈，合成。上有楼阁，亦以金、银、琉璃、玻瓈、砗磲、赤珠、玛瑙，而严饰之。池中莲华，大如车轮，青色青光、黄色黄光、赤色赤光、白色白光，微妙香洁。
[Sūtra]: Moreover, Śāriputra, [the] Land [Of] Ultimate Bliss has seven treasures’ ponds, [with] eight meritorious virtues’ waters fully filling them within. [The] pond beds [are] purely with gold sand spread [on their] grounds. [Their] four sides’ stairs [and] paths, [are with] gold, silver, lapis lazuli [and] crystal composed. Above are towers [and] pavilions, also with gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, tridacna, red pearls [and] carnelian, thus adorning them. [The] lotus flowers within [the] ponds [are as] large as chariot wheels, blue coloured [with] blue light, yellow coloured [with] yellow light, red coloured [with] red light, white coloured [with] white light, refined, wonderful, fragrant [and] pure.
[解]: 上明住处，今明生处。
[Explanation]: [The] above explains [the] dwelling places. Now explained [are the] birthplaces.
「宝池」金银等所成，不同此方土石也。
[The] ‘treasure ponds’ [are with] gold, silver [and] others those formed, not [the] same [as] this direction’s, [with] earth [and] stones.
「八功德」者：
Those eight meritorious virtues [are]:
一、澄清，异此方浑浊；
One, pure [and] clear, different [from] this place, turbid [with] impurities.
二、清冷，异寒热；
Second, clear [and] cool, different [from being] cold [and] hot.
三、甘美，异咸淡劣味；
Third, sweet [and] pleasant, different [from being] salty [and] bland, [with] bad taste.
四、轻软，异沉重；
Fourth, light [and] soft, different [from being] thick [and] heavy.
五、润泽，异缩腐褪色；
Fifth, moisturising, different [from that] reducing, spoiling [and] fading [in] colour.
六、安和，异急暴；
Sixth, peaceful [and] harmonious, different [from being] rapid [and] violent.
七、除饥渴，异生冷；
Seventh, eliminating hunger [and] thirst, different [from being] raw [and] cold.
八、长养诸根，异损坏诸根，及沴戾增病没溺等也。
Eighth, growing [and] nurturing all roots, different [from that] injuring [and] damaging all roots, and [that causing] calamities [and] epidemics, [that] increase sicknesses, sinking, drowning [and] others.
「充满其中」，异枯竭泛滥。
‘Fully filling them within’, [is] different [from being] dried up [and] overflowing.
「底纯」「金沙」，异污泥。
‘Beds purely’ [with] ‘gold sand’, [are] different [from] filthy mud.
「阶道」四宝，异砖石。
‘Stairs [and] paths’ [of] four treasures, [are] different [from those of] bricks [and] stones.
陛级名「阶」，坦途名「道」，重屋名「楼」，岑楼名「阁」。
Flights [of] steps [are] named [as] ‘stairs’. Level roads [are] named [as] ‘paths’. Buildings [of] several storeys [are] named [as] ‘towers’. High towers [are] named [as] ‘pavilions’.
七宝「楼阁」，异此方土木丹青也。
Seven treasures’ ‘towers [and] pavilions’, [are] different [from] this direction’s, [with] earth [and] wood built [and] painted.
「楼阁」是住处，及法会处。
[These] ‘towers [and] pavilions’ are dwelling places, and Dharma assemblies’ places.
但得宝池莲胞开敷，便可登四岸，入法会，见佛闻法也。
Only [upon] attaining [the] treasure ponds’ lotus wombs’ opening [in] bloom, then can [there be] ascent [on the] four shores, [to] enter Dharma assemblies, see [the] Buddha [and] hear [the] Dharma.
华轮者，轮王金轮大四十里，且举最小者言。
Those wheel-[like] flowers, [like] Wheel-[Turning] Kings’ gold wheels, [are as] large [as] forty lǐs, [if] only raising those smallest speaking.
若据《观经》及《无量寿会》，大小实不可量，由同居净土身相不等故也。
If according [to the] Contemplation Sūtra and Immeasurable Life [Thus Come One’s] Assembly《无量寿如来会》, [the] large [and] small truly cannot [be] measured, due [to those in the] Together Dwelling Pure Land [having] bodily forms [that are] not equal thus.
「青色」名「优钵罗」，「黄色」名「拘勿头」，「赤色」名「钵头摩」，「白色」名「芬陀利」。
[The] ‘blue coloured’ [are] named [as] ‘Utpala’ [i.e. Blue Lotus], [the] ‘yellow coloured’ [are] named [as] ‘Kumudā’ [i.e. Yellow Lotus, [the] ‘red coloured’ [are] named [as] ‘Padma’ [i.e. Red Lotus], [and the] ‘white coloured’ [are] named [as] ‘Puṇḍarīka’ [i.e. White Lotus].
由生身有光，故莲胞亦有光。
Due [to the] beings’ bodies having light, therefore [do the] lotus wombs likewise have lights.
然极乐莲华，光色无量，此亦略言耳。
However, [as the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss’ lotus flowers’ lights [and] colours [are] immeasurable, these likewise [are] briefly said only.
「微妙香洁」，略叹莲华四德。
‘Refined, wonderful, fragrant [and] pure’, briefly praises [the] lotus flowers’ four virtues.
质而非形曰「微」。
Material yet without [coarse] form, [therefore] called ‘refined’.
无碍曰「妙」。
Without obstruction, [therefore] called ‘wonderful’.
非形则非尘，故「洁」也。
Without [coarse] form then without dust, therefore [called] ‘pure’.
莲胞如此，生身可知。
[With the] lotus wombs like these, [the] beings’ bodies can [be] known [too].
– 净土宗九祖蕅益大师
《佛说阿弥陀经要解》
– Pure Land Tradition’s 9th Patriarch Great Master Ǒuyì
(Essential Explanation [Of The] Sūtra [In Which The] Buddha Speaks [Of] Amitā[bha] Buddha)
[Note: As lotus flowers in Pure Land are refined, wonderful, fragrant and pure (微妙香洁), while radiating light with corresponding colours, this exemplifies adornment with fragrance and light’ (香光庄严), as taught in The Great Buddha Crown’s Śūraṅgama Sūtra’s Section On Great Power Arrived Bodhisattva’s Perfect Penetration With Mindfulness Of Buddha《大佛顶首楞严经大势至菩萨念佛圆通章》:
「若众生心，忆佛念佛，现前当来，必定见佛。去佛不远，不假方便，自得心开。如染香人，身有香气，此则名曰香光庄严。」
‘If sentient beings’ minds recollect (Amitā) Buddha, or are mindful of the Buddha’s name (Āmítuófó), manifesting (in the) present (or in the) future, (they) will definitely see (the) Buddha, (with the) Buddha not far away. Not needing skilful means, (by) themselves attaining awakening (of their) minds. Like persons perfumed (by) incense, (whose) bodies have fragrance, this (is) then named Adornment (With) Fragrance (And) Light.’
When we practise sincerely, we will see the Buddha come to receive us, and later in Pure Land, when born from lotus flowers. Adornment with fragrance and light does not just occur in Pure Land, when within lotuses, but also now, when our practice connects with the Buddha’s light (through his vow #12 and #33), and the fragrance of his meritorious virtues (through his vow #32). To inspire and to bless us, his immeasurable light and fragrance mingle with and amplify ours, giving rise to auspicious signs (瑞相) of seeing his light (见佛光) and smelling extraordinary fragrance filling the room (异香满堂), even before reaching Pure Land.]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and note by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
下文: 净土功德庄严之性质
Next Section: The Nature Of Pure Land’s Meritorious Virtues’ Adornments
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/04/the-nature-of-pure-lands-meritorious-virtues-adornments
《佛说阿弥陀经要解》全英译
Complete English Translation Of The Essential Explanation Of The Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Amitābha Buddha
https://purelanders.com/yaojie
弥陀净土青色莲花是蓝的吗？
Are The ‘Green’ Lotus Flowers In Āmítuófó’s Pure Land Blue?
https://purelanders.com/2019/06/30/are-the-green-lotus-flowers-in-amituofos-pure-land-blue
《大佛顶首楞严经大势至菩萨念佛圆通章》
The Great Buddha Crown’s Śūraṅgama Sūtra’s Section On Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva’s Perfect Penetration With Mindfulness Of Buddha
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2013/10/mindfulness-of-buddha-card
