Further he states:
Concerning the expression, Each
living thing being grasped by Amida, a manifestation of the
decisive cause of birth: it is declared among the Forty-eight Vows
taught in the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, "If, when I attain
Buddhahood, the sentient beings of the ten quarters, aspiring to be
born in my land, saying my Name even down to ten times, and being
carried by the power of my Vow, were not to be born there, then may
I not attain perfect enlightenment." This means that practicers who
aspire to be born are grasped by the power of the Vow and brought
to attainment of birth when their lives end. Hence the expression,
Each living thing being grasped by Amida, a manifestation of the
decisive cause of birth.
Each living thing being grasped by Amida, a manifestation of the
decisive cause of birth: Each living thing being grasped means that
in the Vow Amida grasps every sentient being throughout the ten
quarters.
Among the Forty-eight Vows taught in the Larger Sutra of
Immeasurable Life: Know that what follows are the words of
Sakyamuni teaching Amida Tathagata's Primal Vow.
If, when I attain Buddhahood: Bodhisattva Dharmakara vows, "If,
when I have attained Buddhahood."
The sentient beings in the ten quarters: All the beings throughout
the ten quarters - ourselves.
Aspiring to be born in my land exhorts us, "Aspire to be born in
the Pure Land of bliss!"
Saying my Name: "When I have attained Buddhahood, my Name shall be
uttered."
Even down to ten times refers to people who say the Name as few as
ten times. Even down to means that neither those who say the Name
more than ten times nor those who only hear the Name are omitted or
excluded from birth in the Pure Land.
Being carried by the power of my Vow: Entrust is a command to allow
oneself to be carried by the power of the Primal Vow. It further
connotes wisdom. Wisdom is to know that Amida brings one to ride on
the power of the Vow. It is to know that, being carried by the
power of the Vow, one will be born in the Pure Land of bliss.
Were not to be born there, then may I not attain perfect
enlightenment: "If people who entrust themselves to the Vow are not
born in the true land fulfilled by the Primal Vow, I shall not
become a Buddha."
This means that practicers who aspire to be born are grasped by the
power of the Vow and brought to attainment of birth when their
lives end: Grasped by the karmic power fulfilled through the great
Vow, one is brought to the attainment of birth. This refers to the
person who has already realized shinjin in ordinary times, not to
one who becomes definitely settled in shinjin and who is blessed
with Amida's compassionate grasp for the first time at the point of
death. Since persons who have realized the diamondlike mind have
been grasped and protected by the light of Amida's heart from
ordinary times, they dwell in the stage of the truly settled. Thus
the moment of death is not the crucial matter; from ordinary times
they have been constantly grasped and protected, never to be
abandoned, and so is said to be grasped by the power of the Vow and
brought to attainment of birth. Hence the expression, each living
thing being grasped by Amida, a manifestation of the decisive cause
of birth.
There may be people lacking true shinjin in ordinary times who, by
the merit of having long engaged in saying the Name, first
encounter the guidance of a true teacher and realize shinjin at the
very end of their lives; at that moment, being grasped by the power
of the Vow, they attain birth. But those who await Amida's coming
at the end of life have yet to realize shinjin and so are filled
with anxiety, anticipating the moment of death.
~
Further he states:
Concerning the expression "Being
protected by Amida, a manifestation of the decisive cause of birth
in the Pure Land":...There are sentient beings who solely think on
Amida Buddha; only these people are constantly illumined by the
light of that Buddha's heart, grasped and protected, never to be
abandoned. It is not at all stated that any practicers of various
other acts are illumined and embraced. This is being protected in
the present life, a manifestation of the decisive cause of birth in
the Pure Land.
Being protected by Amida, a manifestation of the decisive cause of
birth in the Pure Land means that the person who has realized true
shinjin is constantly protected in this life.
There are sentient beings who solely think on Amida Buddha refers
to thinking on Amida Buddha wholeheartedly and without any
doubt.
Only these people are constantly illumined by the light of that
Buddha's heart: The light of that Buddha's heart is the heart of
the Buddha of unhindered light.
Constantly illumined: Constantly means that Amida's light illumines
the person of shinjin always, without interruption, at all times
and places. Illumined means that one is taken into the Buddha's
heart.
The light of that Buddha's heart: Know that one is grasped by the
heart of Amida Buddha.
These people: people who have realized shinjin. "Constantly
protected" means that such people are not defeated by the demon
Papiyas or confused by evil demons and gods, for they are grasped
and protected, never to be abandoned.
It is not stated at all that any practicers of various other acts
are illumined and embraced: Not one of those who perform sundry
practices and disciplines is illumined, taken in, and protected.
That such practicers are not illumined and protected means that
they are not blessed with the benefit of being grasped, never to be
abandoned. Know that this is because they are not practicers who
have entrusted themselves to the Primal Vow. Hence it is not stated
that such people are grasped and protected, never to be
abandoned.
This is being protected in the present life, a manifestation of the
decisive cause of birth: The person of true shinjin is protected in
this present life. Decisive cause: the unexcelled, strong
cause.
(9)
