Major Expositions
KGSS V : 37-39
[Conclusion]
37 Thus we
clearly know from the Tathagata's true teaching and the commentaries
of the masters that the Pure Land of peace is the true fulfilled
land. Delusional and defiled sentient beings cannot, here, see [Buddha-]
nature, for it is covered over by blind passions. The [Nirvana]
Sutra states, "I have taught that bodhisattvas of the tenth
stage see a little of Buddha-nature." Hence, we know that when
we reach the Buddha-land of happiness, we unfailingly disclose Buddha-nature.
This is through the directing of virtue by the power of the Primal
Vow. Further, the [Nirvana] Sutra states, "Sentient beings
will, in the future, possess a body of purity adorned with virtues
and be able to see Buddha-nature."
38 The Treatise
on the Awakening of Faith states:
To realize that even though one expresses it in words, there
is no one who can express it, and that [in thinking] there is
no one who can think it - this is called "being in accord
[with reality]." Freedom from thought is called "attaining
entrance."
[Fei-his explains:] Attaining entrance means attaining the samadhi
of suchness. Further, the state of no-thought belongs to [the stage
of] wondrous awakening. Thereby to realize the mind is [to know]
the aspect of its first arising. Knowing the aspect of the first
arising is no-thought; it cannot be known even by bodhisattvas of
the tenth stage. Such people as ourselves, however, have not yet
attained even the ten stages of understanding; hence, we must rely
on Asvaghosa Mahasattva, and enter from words into no-word, from
thought into no-thought."
39 Contemplating
"fulfilled," I find that the resultant land was fulfilled
from the ocean of Tathagata's Vow. Hence "fulfilled."
Concerning the ocean of the Vow, there is true and provisional.
Thus, with regard to the Buddha-land, there is true and provisional.
Through the true cause, the selected Primal Vow, the true Buddha-land
was brought to realization.
Concerning the true Buddha, the Larger Sutra states, "Buddha
of boundless light, Buddha of unhindered light." Further, "[Amida]
is the king among Buddhas, the most revered among lights."
The Treatise on the Pure Land states, "I take refuge in the
Tathagata of unhindered light filling the ten quarters."
Concerning the true land, the Larger Sutra states, "Land of
immeasurable light" and "Land of all-knowing wisdom."
The Treatise states, "It is infinite, like space, vast and
boundless."
Concerning birth, the Larger Sutra states, "All receive the
body of naturalness (jinen) or of emptiness, the body of boundlessness."
The Treatise states, "The beings of the Tathagata's pure lotus
are born transformed from the lotus of perfect enlightenment."
Further, "For they are the same in practicing the nembutsu
and follow no other way."
Further, the words, "Birth that is inconceivable," refer
to this.
Provisional Buddhas and lands are discussed below.
We have noted already that both true and provisional were fulfilled
from the oceanlike Vow of great compassion; we know, therefore,
that both are fulfilled Buddha and land. Since there are thousands
of differences in the causes of birth in the provisional Buddha-lands,
there are thousands of differences in the lands. They are termed
"transformed bodies of skillful means" and "transformed
lands of skillful means." Being ignorant of the distinction
between true and provisional, people misunderstand and lose sight
of the Tathagata's vast benevolence.
For this reason, the true Buddha and true land are here clarified.
This is the genuine significance of the true essence of the Pure
Land way. Reverently entrust yourselves to the right teaching of
the master of the sutras and the masters of the treatises and to
the expositions of the Pure Land masters. You should uphold and
devote yourself to them. Reflect on this.
Here ends Chapter V:
A Collection of Passages Revealing
The True Buddha and Land
Of the Pure Land Way
|
