Commentaries

Notes on the Inscriptions on Sacred Scrolls (4)

The Treatise of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu states:

O World-honored one, with the mind that is single
I take refuge in the Tathagata of unhindered light
Filling the ten quarters
And aspire to be born in the land of happiness.

Relying on the sutras
In which the manifestation of the true and real virtues is taught,
I compose a gatha of aspiration, a condensation, [note]
That accords with the Buddha's teaching.

Contemplating the features of that world,
I see that it transcends the three realms.
It is infinite, like space,
Vast and boundless.

It further states,

Contemplating the power of the Buddha's Primal Vow,
I see that no one who encounters it passes by in vain;
It quickly brings to fullness and perfection
The great treasure ocean of virtues.

The Treatise of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu states: Vasubandhu is an Indian name. In China he is called Bodhisattva T'ien-ch'in and, more recently, Bodhisattva Shih-ch'in. Old translations have T'ien-ch'in, new ones Shih-ch'in. The treatise states: Treatise refers to the work written by Bodhisattva Vasubandhu to expound Amida's Primal Vow. States means to reveal the essential meaning. This treatise is the Treatise on the Pure Land, also known as the Treatise on Birth in the Pure Land.

O World-honored one, with the mind that is single, I: The World-honored one is Sakyamuni Tathagata. I: Bodhisattva Vasubandhu declares himself. With the mind that is single: to be without doubt or double-mindedness concerning the words of the World-honored one, the master of the teaching. This is none other than true shinjin.

Take refuge in the Tathagata of unhindered light filling the ten quarters: Take refuge translates Namu. It means to follow the command of the Tathagata. The Tathagata of unhindered light filling the ten quarters is Amida Tathagata. This Tathagata is light. Filling the ten quarters: Filling means going to the ends; completely. The light goes completely to the ends of the worlds throughout the ten quarters. Unhindered: unimpeded by the blind passions and karmic evil of sentient beings. Tathagata of light: Amida Buddha. This Tathagata is called the Buddha of light surpassing conceptual understanding and is the form of wisdom. Know that Amida pervades the lands countless as particles throughout the ten quarters.

And aspire to be born in the land of happiness: Saying the Name and entrusting himself to this Buddha of unhindered light, Bodhisattva Vasubandhu aspires to be born in the land of happiness.

Relying on the sutras in which the manifestation of the true and real virtues is taught, I: With I, Vasubandhu, the author of the treatise, declares himself. Relying on the sutras: Sutra is an Indian term for the recorded words of the Buddha, including both the Mahayana and Hinayana teachings. Here, however, "sutra" indicates the Mahayana sutras, not those of the Hinayana. The "three scriptures" which we use are Mahayana sutras, and Vasubandhu's phrase means "depending on these three Mahayana sutras." True and real virtues: the sacred Name that embodies the Vow. Manifestation: form.

Compose a gatha of aspiration, a condensation: Gatha here refers to words that express the essence of the Primal Vow. A condensation is wisdom, the wisdom of unhindered light.

That accords with the Buddha's teaching means that the content of the Treatise on the Pure Land conforms with Sakyamuni's teaching and Amida's Vow.

Contemplating the features of that world, I see that it transcends the three realms: He sees that world of happiness to be boundless, like empty space; its breadth and vastness are likened to empty space.

Contemplating the power of the Buddha's Primal Vow, I see that no one who encounters it passes by in vain: Beholding the power of the Tathagata's Primal Vow, I see that people who entrust themselves to it do not meaninglessly remain in samsaric life here.

It quickly brings to fullness and perfection the great treasure ocean of virtues: Able to bring quickly means that the great treasure ocean of virtues is effectively brought to perfect fulfillment in the persons who entrust themselves to the power of the Primal Vow. The boundlessness, expansiveness, and all-inclusiveness of the Tathagata's virtues is likened to the unobstructed fullness of the waters of the great ocean.