Commentaries

Notes on the Inscriptions on Sacred Scrolls

The inscription in praise of Bodhisattva Nagarjuna:

The Commentary on the Ten Bodhisattva Stages states,

Those who think on Amida Buddha's
Immeasurable power and virtues
Immediately enter the stage of the definitely settled;
For this reason I constantly think on Amida.
If persons aspire to attain Buddhahood
And think on Amida in their hearts,
At that moment the Buddha will appear before them;
For this reason I take refuge.

Those who think on Amida Buddha's immeasurable power and virtues: one should ponder the immeasurable virtues of the Buddha.

Immediately enter the stage of the definitely settled: The moment persons entrust themselves to the Buddha, they enter the stage of the definitely settled. Enter the stage of the definitely settled: When a person thinks on Amida truly, without fail he or she becomes established in the stage of the truly settled.

If persons aspire to attain Buddhahood and think on Amida in their hearts: If persons aspire to attain Buddhahood, they should think in their hearts on Amida. When they think on Amida, at that moment the Buddha will appear before them. Appear before them: The Tathagata will appear for the sake of persons who entrust themselves.

For this reason I take refuge: Bodhisattva Nagarjuna constantly takes refuge in Amida Tathagata.