Immeasurable Life Sūtra’s Upadeśa [i.e. Discussion]
[Rebirth Treatise]
By Vasubandhu Bodhisattva written. (In 529 C.E.) by Yuán Wèi Dynasty’s Bodhiruci translated (to Chinese). (In 2019 C.E. by Upāsakā Shěn Shí’ān translated to English.)
[For Chinese-English version, see purelanders.com/lun. Suggestions are welcome for more precise choice of words. Námó Āmítuófó.]
Verses On Aspiration For Birth
Preface Section
Taking Refuge’s Preface (Treatise Composer’s Self-Exhortation)
Reverent Prostrating’s Door
[V(erse)1]
Before the World-Honoured One, I, with wholeheartedness,
take refuge for life
Highly Praising’s Door
in the one who exhausts the ten directions,
the Unimpeded Light Thus Come One,
Making Vow’s Door
vowing for birth in his Land Of Peace And Bliss.
Initiating Preface (Accomplishing The Above To Give Rise To The Below)
[V2]
I, relying on the sūtra’s
true meritorious virtues’ forms,
speak these aspiration verses to totally uphold them,
with the Buddha’s teachings corresponding.
Main Principles’ Section
Circumstantial Rewards (Vessel World’s Purity)
Land’s Seventeen Kinds Of Adornments
Contemplating Clearly’s Door
[V3]
Contemplate that land’s forms,
to surpass the three realms’ paths. [L(ine)1]
Ultimately like empty space,
vast, great and without boundaries. [L2]
[V4]
The right path’s great loving-kindness and compassion，
are from world-transcending good roots born. [L3]
With pure light bright, full and adequate,
like a mirror, sun and moon disk. [L4]
[V5]
Gathering all precious treasures’ natures,
complete with wonderful adornments. [L5]
With undefiled light’s flames blazing,
bright and pure, glorious throughout the world. [L6]
[V6]
The treasures’ natures’ meritorious virtues’ grass,
gently and softly to left and right twirl,
with those touching them giving rise to supreme bliss,
surpassing that from kācalindi. [L7]
[V7]
With treasure flowers of thousands of ten thousand kinds,
fully covering the ponds and flowing springs,
when gentle breezes move the flowers and leaves，
intersecting lights mix and transform. [L8]
[V8]
From palace halls and all towering pavilions,
contemplating the ten directions without obstacles,
various trees of different lights and colours,
with treasure balustrades everywhere surround. [L9]
[V9]
Immeasurable treasures interweave,
as nets pervading empty space,
with all kinds of bells emitting sounds,
proclaiming aloud wonderful Dharma sounds. [L10]
[V10]
Raining flowers and clothing for adorning,
with immeasurable fragrances universally perfuming. [L11]
The Buddha’s wisdom bright and pure like the sun,
eliminates the world of ignorance’s darkness. [L12]
[V11]
With Brahma name’s sound that awakens profound and far-reaching,
refined and wonderful, heard in the ten directions. [L13]
The Rightly Awakened Amitābha Buddha,
is the Dharma King who well abides and upholds it. [L14]
[V12]
The Thus Come One’s pure flower assembly,
is from Right Awakening’s flowers with transformed births. [L15]
With love and joy for the Buddha’s Dharma’s flavours,
and meditative samādhi as food. [L16]
[V13]
Forever departed from afflictions of body and mind,
receiving bliss constantly, without interruption. [L17]
In this Great Vehicle’s roots’ realm,
is equality, without the contemptuous’ names,
[V14]
Women and those with roots lacking,
and those of the Two Vehicles’ seeds are not born there. [L18]
That sentient beings aspire joyfully for,
are all able to be fulfilled. [L19]
[V15]
Therefore, vow for birth in that
Amitābha Buddha’s land.
Direct Rewards (Sentient Beings’ World’s Purity)
Buddha’s Eight Kinds Of Meritorious Virtues
On his immeasurable great treasures’ king’s
refined and wonderful pure flower dais. [L20]
[V16]
With forms’ excellences’ light of one xún,
his form’s image surpasses sentient beings’. [L21]
The Thus Come One’s refined and wonderful voice’s
Brahma sound can be heard in the ten directions. [L22]
[V17]
Similar to earth, water, fire, wind
and empty space, without discrimination. [L23]
Heavenly and human beings’ immovable assembly,
is from pure wisdom’s ocean born. [L24]
[V18]
Like the Sumeru Mountain King,
with supreme wonders, without those surpassing. [L25]
Heavenly and human beings’ male assembly,
reverently circumambulate and gaze upon him. [L26]
[V19]
Contemplating the Buddha’s fundamental vows’ power,
encountering it, without those in vain,
able to enable quick fulfilment,
with meritorious virtues’ great treasures’ ocean. [L27]
Bodhisattvas’ Four Kinds Of Meritorious Virtues
[V20]
The Land Of Peace And Bliss is pure,
constantly turning the undefiled Dharma wheel,
manifesting Buddhas and Bodhisattvas like the sun,
like Sumeru abiding and upholding. [L28]
[V21]
Undefiled majestic light,
with one thought and at one time,
universally illuminates all Buddhas’ assemblies,
to benefit all sentient beings. [L29]
[V22]
Raining heavenly music, flowers and clothing,
with wonderful incenses and other offerings,
for praising all Buddhas’ meritorious virtues,
without having the discriminating mind. [L30]
[V23]
In whatever worlds without
Buddhas and the Dharma’s meritorious virtues’ treasures,
I vow, to all be reborn in,
to reveal the Buddhas’ Dharma like the Buddhas. [L31]
Transmission Section
Dedicating’s Door
[V24]
I, composing this treatise and speaking these verses,
vow to see Amitābha Buddha,
universally together, with all sentient beings,
with rebirth in his Land Of Peace And Bliss.
Of the Immeasurable Life Sūtra’s sections and sentences, I with verses, have in summary spoken of them completely.
Verses’ Explanation
The treatise states: These aspiration verses are to be understood with what meanings? They are for manifesting contemplation of that Land Of Peace And Bliss, to see Amitābha Thus Come One, vowing for birth in that land thus.
[Five Mindfulnesses’ Doors]
How to have contemplation? How to give rise to the faithful mind? If good men and good women, with cultivation of the Five Mindfulnesses’ Doors’ practices accomplished, they will ultimately attain birth in the Land Of Peace And Bliss, to see that Amitābha Buddha.
[1] What are the Five Mindfulnesses’ Doors?
[1.1] First is Reverently Prostrating’s Door.
[1.2] Second is Highly Praising’s Door.
[1.3] Third is Making Vow’s Door.
[1.4] Fourth is Contemplating Clearly’s Door.
[1.5] Fifth is Dedicating’s Door.
[1.1.1] How to practise Reverently Prostrating? With bodily karma reverently prostrating to Amitābha Thus Come One, the One Worthy Of Offerings, the Right All-Knowing One. For birth in that land’s intention thus.
[1.2.1] How to practise Highly Praising? With verbal karma highly praising. Reciting that Thus Come One’s name, like that Thus Come One’s bright light’s wisdom’s forms, like his name’s meanings, desiring to, according to truth, cultivate practices that correspond thus.
[1.3.1] How to practise Making Vow? With the mind constantly making vow, wholeheartedly with focused mindfulness, ultimately for rebirth in the Land Of Peace And Bliss, desiring to, according to truth, cultivate practice of Śamatha thus.
[1.4.1] How to practise Contemplating Clearly? With wisdom contemplating clearly, with Right Mindfulness contemplating that, desiring to, according to truth, cultivate practice of Vipaśyanā thus.
[Contemplating Clearly]
[1.4.1] That Contemplating Clearly has three kinds. What are the three kinds?
[1.4.1.1] First is contemplating clearly, that Buddha land’s adornments’ meritorious virtues.
[1.4.1.2] Second is contemplating clearly, Amitābha Buddha’s adornments’ meritorious virtues.
[1.4.1.3] Third is contemplating clearly, that land’s all Bodhisattvas’ adornments’ meritorious virtues.
[Dedicating (1)]
[1.5.1] How to practise Dedicating? Not forsaking all suffering and afflicted sentient beings, with the mind constantly making vow, with dedicating as the foremost, to attain accomplishment of great compassion’s mind thus.
[Contemplating Clearly (That Buddha Land’s Adornments’ Meritorious Virtues)]
How to practise Contemplating Clearly, that Buddha land’s adornments’ meritorious virtues? That Buddha land’s adornments’ meritorious virtues, are accomplished with inconceivable power thus. Like that of a maṇi wish-fulfilling gem’s nature, in similar and distinct ways thus.
[1.4.1.1] Of those Contemplating Clearly that Buddha land’s adornments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishments, there are seventeen kinds, that should be known. What are the seventeen?
[1.4.1.1.1] First is adornment of purity’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.2] Second is adornment of measure’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.3] Third is adornment of nature’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.4] Fourth is adornment of shapes’ and forms’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.5] Fifth is adornment of all kinds of matters’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.6] Sixth is adornment of wonderful colours’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.7] Seventh is adornment of touches’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.8] Eighth is adornment of three kinds of meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.9] Ninth is adornment of rain’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.10] Tenth is adornment of bright light’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.11] Eleventh is adornment of wonderful name’s sound’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.12] Twelfth is adornment of the master’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.13] Thirteenth is adornment of the family members’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.14] Fourteenth is adornment of beneficial enjoyments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.15] Fifteenth is adornment of being without all difficulties’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.16] Sixteenth is adornment of great meaning’s door’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.17] Seventeenth is adornment of fulfilment of all that sought’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.1.1.1] On that adornment of purity’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘Contemplate that land’s forms, to surpass the three realms’ paths.’ [L1]
[1.4.1.1.2.1] On that adornment of measure’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘Ultimately like empty space, vast, great and without boundaries.’ [L2]
[1.4.1.1.3.1] On that adornment of nature’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘The right path’s great loving-kindness and compassion, are from world-transcending good roots born.’ [L3]
[1.4.1.1.4.1] On that adornment of shapes’ and forms’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘With pure light bright, full and adequate, like a mirror, sun and moon disk.’ [L4]
[1.4.1.1.5.1] On that adornment of all kinds of matters’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘Gathering all precious treasures’ natures, complete with wonderful adornments.’ [L5]
[1.4.1.1.6.1] On that adornment of wonderful colours’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘With undefiled light’s flames blazing, bright and pure, glorious throughout the world.’ [L6]
[1.4.1.1.7.1] On that adornment of touches’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘The treasures’ natures’ meritorious virtues’ grass, gently and softly to left and right twirl, with those touching them giving rise to supreme bliss, surpassing that from kācalindi.’ [L7]
[1.4.1.1.8.1] On that adornment of three kinds of meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, there are three kinds of matters, that should be known.
[1.4.1.1.8.1] What are the three kinds?
[1.4.1.1.8.1.1] First is the water.
[1.4.1.1.8.1.2] Second is the ground.
[1.4.1.1.8.1.3] Third is the empty space.
[1.4.1.1.8.1.1.1] On that adornment of the water’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘With treasure flowers of thousands of ten thousand kinds, fully covering the ponds and flowing springs, when gentle breezes move the flowers and leaves, intersecting lights mix and transform.’ [L8]
[1.4.1.1.8.1.2.1] On that adornment of the ground’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘From palace halls and all towering pavilions, contemplating the ten directions without obstacles, various trees of different lights and colours, with treasure balustrades everywhere surround.’ [L9]
[1.4.1.1.8.1.3.1] On that adornment of the empty space’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘Immeasurable treasures interweave, as nets pervading empty space, with all kinds of bells emitting sounds, proclaiming aloud wonderful Dharma sounds.’ [L10]
[1.4.1.1.9.1] On that adornment of rain’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘Raining flowers and clothing for adorning, with immeasurable fragrances universally perfuming.’ [L11]
[1.4.1.1.10.1] On that adornment of bright light’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘The Buddha’s wisdom bright and pure like the sun, eliminates the world of ignorance’s darkness.’ [L12]
[1.4.1.1.11.1] On that adornment of wonderful name’s sound’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘With Brahma name’s sound that awakens profound and far-reaching, refined and wonderful, heard in the ten directions.’ [L13]
[1.4.1.1.12.1] On that adornment of the master’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘The Rightly Awakened Amitābha Buddha, is the Dharma King who well abides and upholds it.’ [L14]
[1.4.1.1.13.1] On that adornment of the family members’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘The Thus Come One’s pure flower assembly, is from Right Awakening’s flowers with transformed births.’ [L15]
[1.4.1.1.14.1] On that adornment of beneficial enjoyments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘With love and joy for the Buddha’s Dharma’s flavours, and meditative samādhi as food.’ [L16]
[1.4.1.1.15.1] On that adornment of being without all difficulties’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘Forever departed from afflictions of body and mind, receiving bliss constantly, without interruption.’ [L17]
[1.4.1.1.16.1] On that adornment of great meaning’s door’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘In this Great Vehicle’s roots’ realm, is equality, without the contemptuous’ names, women and those with roots lacking, and those of the Two Vehicles’ seeds are not born there.’ [L18]
[1.4.1.1.16.1] The Pure Land’s fruit’s rewards, are departed from two kinds of contemptuousnesses’ faults, that should [be known.
[1.4.1.1.16.1.1] First is body.
[1.4.1.1.16.1.2] Second is name.
[1.4.1.1.16.1.1] ‘Body’ has three kinds.
[1.4.1.1.16.1.1.1] First are the Two Vehicles’ persons.
[1.4.1.1.16.1.1.2] Second are women.
[1.4.1.1.16.1.1.3] Third are persons with all roots not complete.
Without these three faults thus, is named as departure from body’s contemptuousnesses.
‘Names’ likewise have three kinds, not only without the three bodies, and even not hearing of the Two Vehicles, women, and those with all roots not complete, these three kinds of names thus, is named as departure from names of the contemptuous.
Those with ‘equality’, are equal with one form thus.
[1.4.1.1.17.1] On that adornment of fulfilment of all that sought’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, a verse thus says, ‘That sentient beings aspire joyfully for, are all able to be fulfilled.’ [L19]
Briefly spoken are that Amitābha Buddha’s land’s seventeen kinds of adornments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishments, that manifest the Thus Come One’s own self-benefitting great meritorious virtues’ power’s accomplishment, for benefitting others’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment thus.
That Immeasurable Life Buddha’s land’s adornments, are the supreme truth’s wonderful realm’s forms, with sixteen [distinct] lines and one [general] line one after another spoken, that should be known.
[Contemplating Clearly (The Buddha’s Adornments’ Meritorious Virtues)]
How to contemplate the Buddha’s adornments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishments? Those contemplating the Buddha’s adornments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishments, have eight kinds of forms, that should be known.
[1.4.1.2] What are the eight kinds?
[1.4.1.2.1] First is adornment of seat’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.2] Second is adornment of bodily karma’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.3] Third is adornment of verbal karma’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.4] Fourth is adornment of mental karma’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.5] Fifth is adornment of great assembly’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.6] Sixth is adornment of foremost disciples’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.7] Seventh is adornment of the master’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.8] Eighth is adornment of not falsely being with abiding and upholding of meritorious virtues’ accomplishment.
[1.4.1.2.1.1] What is adornment of seat’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘On his immeasurable great treasures’ king’s refined and wonderful pure flower dais.’ [L20]
[1.4.1.2.2.1] What is adornment of bodily karma’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘With forms’ excellences’ light of one xún, his form’s image surpasses sentient beings’.’ [L21]
[1.4.1.2.3.1] What is adornment of verbal karma’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘The Thus Come One’s refined and wonderful voice’s Brahma sound can be heard in the ten directions.’ [L22]
[1.4.1.2.4.1] What is adornment of mental karma’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘Similar to earth, water, fire, wind and empty space, without discrimination.’ [L23]
[1.4.1.2.5.1] What is adornment of great assembly’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘Heavenly and human beings’ immovable assembly, is from pure wisdom’s ocean born.’ [L24]
[1.4.1.2.6.1] What is adornment of foremost disciples’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘Like the Sumeru Mountain King, with supreme wonders, without those surpassing.’ [L25]
[1.4.1.2.7.1] What is adornment of the master’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘Heavenly and human beings’ male assembly, reverently circumambulate and gaze upon him.’ [L26]
[1.4.1.2.8.1] What is adornment of not falsely being with abiding and upholding of meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? A verse thus says, ‘Contemplating the Buddha’s fundamental vows’ power, encountering it, without those in vain, able to enable quick fulfilment, with meritorious virtues’ great treasures’ ocean.’ [L27]
Immediately seeing that Buddha, those yet to realise as pure-minded Bodhisattvas, will ultimately attain realisation of the equal Dharma Body, with pure-minded Bodhisattvas, with all Bodhisattvas above ground, ultimately together attaining tranquillity and extinguishment equally thus.
Briefly spoken are eight lines, manifesting the Thus Come One’s self-benefitting and benefitting of others’ meritorious virtues’ adornments’ accomplishments one after another, that should be known.
[Contemplating Clearly (Bodhisattvas’ Adornments’ Meritorious Virtues)]
How to practise Contemplating Clearly, Bodhisattvas’ adornments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment? Those Contemplating Clearly Bodhisattvas’ adornments’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishments, contemplate those Bodhisattvas to have four kinds of right cultivated practices’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishments, that should be known.
[1.4.1.3] What are the four?
[1.4.1.3.1] First, in one Buddha land, with the body not moving and swaying, yet everywhere in the ten directions with all kinds of responding manifestations, according to truth, cultivating practices, constantly doing Buddhas’ matters. A verse thus says, ‘The Land Of Peace And Bliss is pure, constantly turning the undefiled Dharma wheel, manifesting Buddhas and Bodhisattvas like the sun, like Sumeru abiding and upholding’, [L28] ‘opening’ all sentient beings, like silt’s flowers thus.
[1.4.1.3.2] Second, as those responding manifestation bodies, are at all times, without before and without after, with one mind and one thought, emitting great bright light, all are able to reach everywhere in the ten directions’ worlds, to teach and transform sentient beings, with all kinds of skilful means, with cultivated practices that are done, to eliminate all sentient beings’ suffering thus, a verse thus says, ‘Undefiled majestic light, with one thought and at one time, universally illuminates all Buddhas’ assemblies, to benefit all sentient beings.’ [L29]
[1.4.1.3.3] Third, those in all worlds, without remainder illuminate all Buddhas’ assemblies’ great assemblies, without remainder making vast, great and immeasurable offerings, reverencing, and highly praising all Buddha Thus Come Ones’ meritorious virtues. A verse thus says, ‘Raining heavenly music, flowers and clothing, with wonderful incenses and other offerings, for praising all Buddhas’ meritorious virtues, without having the discriminating mind.’ [L30]
[1.4.1.3.4] Fourth, those in the ten directions’ all worlds’ places without the Triple Gem, abide and uphold adornment with Buddhas’, Dharma’s and Saṃgha’s treasures’ meritorious virtues’ great ocean, everywhere guiding to enable understanding, according to truth, cultivating practices. A verse thus says, ‘In whatever worlds without Buddhas and the Dharma’s meritorious virtues’ treasures, I vow, to all be reborn in, to reveal the Buddhas’ Dharma like the Buddhas.’ [L31]
Furthermore, as previously spoken, on Contemplating Clearly adornment of the Buddha land’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, adornment of the Buddha’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, and adornment of Bodhisattvas’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, these three kinds of accomplishments, for the mind of aspiration’s adornment, should be known.
[One Pure Line]
Briefly speaking for entering is one Dharma line thus. That one Dharma line, is called the pure line. That pure line, is called ‘true wisdom, the unconditioned Dharma Body’ thus.
[2] This purity has two kinds, that should be known. What are the two kinds?
[2.1] First is the vessel world’s purity.
[2.2] Second is sentient beings’ world’s purity.
That of the vessel world’s purity, as previously spoken, has seventeen kinds of adornments of the Buddha land’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, that are named as the vessel world’s purity.
That of sentient beings’ world’s purity, as previously spoken, has eight kinds of adornments of the Buddha’s meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, and four kinds of adornments of Bodhisattvas’ meritorious virtues’ accomplishment, that are named as sentient beings’ world’s purity.
Thus, the one Dharma line, gathers two kinds of purity’s meanings, that should be known.
[Dedicating (2)]
Thus Bodhisattvas, with Śamatha and Vipaśyanā, broadly and briefly cultivate practices, to accomplish the gentle and soft mind. According to truth, knowing broadly and briefly all dharmas. Thus accomplishing skilful dedicating.
What is that named Bodhisattvas’ skilful Dedicating? That Bodhisattvas’ skilful Dedicating, means that spoken reverently prostrating and others’ five kinds of cultivated practices, all those collected meritorious virtues and good roots, are not for seeking one’s own abiding and upholding of bliss. Desiring to pull out all sentient beings’ suffering thus, making vow to gather and receive all sentient beings, to together be born in that Buddha Land Of Peace And Bliss. This is named as Bodhisattvas’ skilful dedicating’s accomplishment.
[Bodhi Doors’ Contradicting Dharmas]
Bodhisattvas thus, with good knowledge of dedicating’s accomplishment, are then able to have far departure from three kinds of Bodhi doors’ contradicting dharmas.
[3] What are the three kinds?
[3.1] First is relying on Wisdom’s Door, not for seeking personal bliss, far departing from self’s mind with greedy attachment to oneself thus.
[3.2] Second is relying on Loving-kindness And Compassion’s door, for pulling out all sentient beings’ suffering, far departing from not bringing peace to sentient beings’ mind thus.
[3.3] Third is relying on Skilful Means’ Door, with sympathy for all sentient beings’ mind, far departing from seeking offerings and reverence for oneself’s mind thus.
These are named as far departure from three kinds of Bodhi doors’ contradicting dharmas.
[Bodhi Doors’ Complying Dharmas]
Bodhisattvas with far departure from such three kinds of Bodhi doors’ contradicting dharmas, attain three kinds of dharmas that accordingly comply with Bodhi doors’ fulfilment thus.
[4] What are the three kinds?
[4.1] First is the Undefiled Pure Mind, with not for oneself seeking all kinds of bliss thus.
[4.2] Second is the Peaceful Pure Mind, with pulling out all sentient beings’ suffering thus.
[4.3] Third is the Joyful Pure Mind, with enabling of all sentient beings to attain Great Bodhi thus, with gathering and receiving of sentient beings for birth in that land thus.
These are named as the three kinds of dharmas that accordingly comply with Bodhi doors’ fulfilment, that should be known.
As previously spoken, Wisdom, Loving-kindness And Compassion, and Skilful Means, these three kinds of doors gather and receive Prajñā, and Prajñā gathers and receives skilful means, that should be known.
As previously spoken, to far depart from self’s mind, to not be with greedy attachment to oneself, far depart from not bringing peace to sentient beings’ mind, and far depart from seeking offerings and reverence for oneself’s mind, these three kinds of dharmas, for far departure from obstacles of the Bodhi Mind, should be known.
As previously spoken, the Undefiled Pure Mind, Peaceful Pure Mind and Blissful Pure Mind, these three kinds of minds, complete in one place, that accomplish the wonderful bliss’ Supreme True Mind, should be known.
Thus with Bodhisattvas’ Wisdom Mind, Skilful Means’ Mind, Unobstructed Mind and the Supreme True Mind, able to be born in the pure Buddha land, this should be known.
This is named Bodhisattva Mahāsattvas’ accordingly complying with five kinds of Dharma Doors, with that done according to that wished, with ease accomplished. As previously, those spoken bodily karma, verbal karma, mental karma, wisdom karma and skilful wisdom’s karma, accordingly comply with the Dharma Doors thus.
[Five Doors]
Moreover, there are five kinds of doors, for one by one accomplishing five kinds of meritorious virtues, that should be known.
[5] What are the Five Doors?
[5.1] First is the Near Door,
[5.2] Second is the Great Assembly Door,
[5.3] Third is the Residence Door,
[5.4] Fourth is the House Door,
[5.5] Fifth is the Garden Playground Door.
Of these five kinds of doors, the first four kinds of doors, accomplish entering of meritorious virtues, and the fifth door, accomplish exiting with meritorious virtues.
[5.1.1] Those entering the first door, with Reverently Prostrating to Amitābha Buddha, for birth in that land thus, attain birth in his Land Of Peace And Bliss. This is named entering the first door.
[5.2.1] Those entering the second door, with Highly Praising of Amitābha Buddha, accordingly complying with his name’s meanings, reciting the Thus Come One’s name, relying on the Thus Come One’s bright light’s wisdom’s forms to cultivate practices thus, attain entering of the great assembly’s numbers. This is named entering the second door.
[5.3.1] Those entering the third door, with wholehearted focused mindfulness Making Vow for birth there, cultivating Śamatha’s tranquil samādhi practice thus, attain entering of the Lotus Flower Treasury World. This is named entering the third door.
[5.4.1] Those entering the fourth door, with focused mindfulness Contemplating Clearly that land’s wonderful adornments, cultivating Vipaśyanā thus, attain reach of that place, with beneficial enjoyments of all kinds of Dharma flavours’ bliss. This is named entering the fourth door.
[5.5.1] Those exiting with the fifth door, with great loving-kindness and compassion, contemplating clearly all suffering and afflicted sentient beings, appearing and responding with manifestation bodies, returning to enter the garden of births and deaths, its forest of afflictions within, freely playing with supernormal powers, arrive at the ground for teaching and transforming, with their fundamental vows’ power Dedicating thus. This is named exiting the fifth door.
Bodhisattvas’ entering of the four kinds of doors, for self-benefitting practice’s accomplishment, should be known.
Bodhisattvas’ exiting of the fifth door, for dedicating to benefit others’ practice’s accomplishment, should be known.
Bodhisattvas’ thus cultivate these Five Mindfulnesses’ Doors’ practices, for self-benefitting and benefitting of others, to quickly attain accomplishment of Anuttara Samyak Saṃbodhi thus.
The brief explanation of the meaning of the Immeasurable Life Sūtra’s Upadeśa’s Verses On Aspiration For Birth is hereby complete.
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相关经典
Related Sūtras:
中英《往生论》
‘Rebirth Treatise’ In Chinese And English
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中国净土宗十三祖印光大师校订之《净土五经》
‘The Pure Land Tradition’s Five Sūtras’ As Checked By The Chinese Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
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净土宗《五经一论》
The Pure Land Tradition’s ‘Five Sūtras And One Treatise’
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