VI. The Incalculable Number of Noble Companions in That Land 六、彼土圣众伴侣无量分
Master Wang Xianglu | 2018-06-23 | Download | AI assisted translation
| 此言彼土人物之胜也，所谓诸上善人也，善而上善，非善恶比量之善矣，善且不有，是名至善，亦名清净。故众生生者，皆阿鞞跋致，此言不动地，能一心不乱者也。 |
This speaks of the excellence of the beings in that land—the so-called assembly of foremost good people. Their goodness is the highest goodness, not goodness measured in contrast to evil. When even goodness is not posited, this is called supreme goodness; it is also called purity. Therefore, all sentient beings born there are avaivartika, that is, established on the immovable ground and capable of one-pointedness of mind without distraction. |
| 不动地为初地菩萨，即欢喜地，斯可与彼世界相合，倘有一意挂碍，热恼随生，微细之恶念即起，为何能俱，况彼土无恶道之名，而我有恶念之实，岂能在无数阿鞞跋致中，单能容一位恶众生耶？故当自问现在能否做到加入彼土 |
The immovable ground is the first bhūmi of a bodhisattva, the Ground of Joy; only then can one accord with that world. If one harbors even a single attachment, distress and vexation immediately arise, and the slightest evil thought is stirred. How could one then be together with them? Moreover, in that land there is not even the name of the evil realms, whereas I have the reality of evil thoughts. How could, among innumerable avaivartikas, there be room for even a single evil sentient being? |
| 与圣众同为伴侣，不必问他日可以往不往也，此全在气味程度意境之相合，能合则虽不往而亦往矣，不能合者，则空愿又有何补，必焉持名以助之，克期求证如第七分也。 |
Therefore, one should ask oneself whether one can now enter that land and join the assembly of sages as companions. There is no need to ask whether one may or may not be reborn there in the future. It depends entirely upon the accord of one’s disposition, degree of attainment, and spiritual realm. If they accord, then even without going, one has gone; if they do not accord, what help is there in empty vows? One must certainly uphold the Name to assist this, and seek realization within a fixed period, as in the seventh section. |
| 又舍利弗，彼佛有无量无边声闻弟子，皆阿罗汉，非是算数之所能知，诸菩萨众，亦复如是。舍利弗，彼佛国土，成就如是功德庄严。又舍利弗，极乐国土，众生生者，皆是阿鞞跋致。其中多有一生补处，其数甚多，非是算数所能知之，但可以无量无边阿僧祇说。 |
Moreover, Śāriputra, that Buddha has immeasurable and boundless disciples among the śrāvakas, all of them arhats, whose number cannot be known by calculation. The assembly of bodhisattvas is likewise. Śāriputra, that Buddha-land is adorned with such virtues and accomplishments. Moreover, Śāriputra, all sentient beings born in the Land of Ultimate Bliss are avaivartika. Among them are many who, in one more lifetime, will succeed to Buddhahood. Their number is extremely great and cannot be known by calculation; it can only be described as immeasurable, boundless asaṃkhyeyas. |
