Then the Bodhisattva Maitreya said to the Buddha,
"World-Honored One, for what reason are some of the inhabitants of
that land in the embryonic state and the others born by
transformation?"
The Buddha replied,
"Maitreya, if there are sentient beings who do various meritorious
deeds aspiring for birth in that land while still entertaining
doubt, such beings are unable to comprehend the Buddha-wisdom,
inconceivable wisdom, ineffable wisdom, boundless Mahayana wisdom,
and incomparable, unequaled, and unsurpassed supreme wisdom.
Although they doubt these wisdoms, they still believe in
retribution for evil and reward for virtue and so cultivate a stock
of merits, aspiring for birth in that land.
Such beings are born in a palace, where they dwell for five hundred
years without being able to behold the Buddha, hear His exposition
of the Dharma, or see
the hosts of bodhisattvas and shravakas. For this reason, that type
of birth in the Pure Land is called 'embryonic state.'
"If there are sentient beings who with resolute faith accept these
kinds of wisdom, from the Buddha's wisdom to the supreme wisdom, do
meritorious deeds and sincerely transfer the merit acquired (to
that land), those beings will be born by transformation
spontaneously. seated with legs crossed, in the seven-jewelled
lotus-flowers, and instantly attain the same glorious forms, wisdom
and virtue as those of other bodhisattvas there.
"Further, Maitreya, if great bodhisattvas in the Buddha-lands of
other quarters desire to see Amitayus, and revere and make
offerings to Him and the hosts of bodhisattvas and shravakas, they
will, after death, be born in the land of Amitayus. Spontaneously
transformed they will be born from within the seven-jewelled
lotus-flowers.
"Maitreya, you should know that those born by transformation are
possessed of supreme wisdom, while those in the embryonic state
lack that wisdom and must pass five hundred years without being
able to see the Buddha, hear His teaching of the Dharma, see the
hosts of bodhisattvas and shravakas, make offerings to the Buddha,
learn the rules of conduct for bodhisattvas, or perform meritorious
practices. You should know that this is because those beings
harbored doubt and lacked wisdom in their previous lives."
The Buddha said to Maitreya,
"Let us suppose that a wheel-turning monarch has a special chamber
which is adorned with seen jewels and provided with curtained
couches and silken banners hanging from the ceiling. If princes
have committed offense against the king, they are taken to that
chamber and fettered with gold chains. There they are served with
food and drink, provided with clothes, couches and cushions,
flowers and incense, and can enjoy music. Being treated just like
the wheel-turning monarch himself, they have no wants. Do you think
that those princes would enjoy living there?"
"No they do not," replied Maitreya. "They would seek various means
of approach to ask a man of power to help them escape."
The Buddha said to Maitreya,
"Those beings born within the lotus-buds are like that. Because of
their doubt in the Buddha's wisdom, they have been born in
palaces.
Although they receive no punishment or ill treatment even for a
single moment, they must pass five hundred years there without
being able to see the Three Treasures, make offerings to the
Buddha, or cultivate a stock of virtue. This is distressing to
them. Though there are other pleasures, they do not enjoy living
there.
"If those beings become aware of the faults committed in their
former lives and deeply repent, they can, as they wish, leave and
go to where Amitayus dwells.
Then they can worship and make offerings to him; they can also
visit innumerable and countless other Buddhas to perform various
meritorious practices.
Maitreya, you should know that the bodhisattvas who allow doubt to
arise lose great benefits.
For this reason, you should have resolute faith in the supreme
wisdom of the Buddha.
http://buddhistfaith.tripod.com/purelandscriptures/id3.html
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