Translations

[7] The Seventh Doubt: Why Not Be Born In Tuṣita? 第七疑:为何不生兜率?

问:继释迦而成佛者,即弥勒菩萨,今现在兜率天宫说法。人能修上品十善,便生其处。何不往生兜率天宫,亲侍弥勒,将来下生成佛之时,随之而下乎?

Question: That succeeding Śākya[muni Buddha to] then accomplish Buddhahood, [is] then Maitreya Bodhisattva, [who is] now presently in Tuṣita’s Heavenly Palace speaking [the] Dharma. People [who are] able [to] cultivate [the] High Grade’s Ten Good [Karmas (十善业), can] then [be] born [in] that place. Why not [be] reborn [in] Tuṣita’s Heavenly Palace, [to] personally attend [to] Maitreya, [and in the] future, when he descends [to be] born [to] accomplish Buddhahood, follow him [to] then descend?

答:上品十善,固得生天。但欲必生兜率,恐亦未稳。

Answer: [With the] High Grade’s Ten Good [Karmas], certainly attains birth [in a] heaven. Only [with this], desiring [to] definitely [be] born [in] Tuṣita, [this is] feared [to] also not yet [be] secure.

不观《弥勒上生经》乎?经云:「行众三昧,深入正定,方始得生。」试问修十善者能之乎?

[Have you] not looked at [the] Sūtra [On] Maitreya’s Ascent [For] Birth? [The] sūtra says, ‘[With] practice [of] all samādhis, deeply entering Right Concentration, only then attains birth.’ [Have you] tried asking [if] those cultivating [the] Ten Good [Karmas are] able [to do] that?

若阿弥陀佛,但得持名,无不摄受,较之广修十善者,其易数倍。

As for Āmítuófó, only attaining upholding [of his] name, [there are] none not gathered [and] received. Comparing that [with] those widely cultivating [the] Ten Good [Karmas], its easiness [is more by] several times.

况兜率天宫,多欲界退位天子,天女之多,不可胜计。天人见之,往往耽染,何况凡夫?

Moreover, Tuṣita’s Heavenly Palace [is with] many [of the] Desire Realm’s heavenly [beings’] sons, [who have] abdicated [their] positions, [and] heavenly goddesses, who [are so] many, [that they] cannot [be] completely calculated. [When] heavenly beings see them, [they] often indulge [and become] defiled, let alone ordinary beings?

《萨遮尼乾子经》云:「诸天大系缚,无过于女色,女人缚诸天,将至三恶道。」

[The Mahā]satya Nirgrantha Sūtra says, ‘All heavenly [beings]’ great binding fetters, [are with] none surpassing [that] of female charms, [with] women binding all heavenly [beings, who] will arrive [at the] three evil paths.’

较之西方,万不及一。又况纵见弥勒,未获圣果,一生净域,永不退转乎!

Comparing that [with the] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)], ten thousand [of that is] not as good as [this] one. Also, moreover, even if seeing Maitreya, [this is] yet [to] obtain [a] noble fruit, [while] once born [in the] Pure Land, [it is] forever [with] non-retrogression!

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an

上个疑
Previous Doubt:

第六疑
[6] The Sixth Doubt
为何一生净土不复恶?
Why Once Born In Pure Land, Not Again Evil?
https://purelanders.com/2025/10/30/6-the-sixth-doubt-why-once-born-in-pure-land-not-again-evil

下个疑
Next Doubt:

第八疑
[8] The Eighth Doubt
何得十念生净土?
How To Attain Rebirth In Pure Land With Ten Thoughts?
https://purelanders.com/2025/10/31/8-the-eighth-doubt-how-to-attain-rebirth-in-pure-land-with-ten-thoughts

全十疑
All Ten Doubts:

《安士全书》之《十疑论》篇
[44] ‘Ānshì’s Complete Book’s ‘Ten Doubts Treatise’s Section
https://purelanders.com/yilun

相关教理
Related Teachings:

《净土十疑论》:
Treatise On Ten Doubts About Pure Land:
https://purelanders.com/shiyi

第七疑:易生弥勒疑
The Seventh Doubt: Doubt Of Ease Of Birth To Be With Maitreya Bodhisattva
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2014/04/7-why-not-seek-birth-in-tusita-heaven

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