A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
34. Those Who Fully Possess the Three States of Mind Will Certainly be Reborn , as said in the Contemplation Sutra
Those reborn [in the Pure Land] at the upper level of the upper grade are sentient beings who, aspiring to such rebirth, cultivate the Three States of Mind, through which they instantly secure their rebirth.
What are these three? They are the Sincere Mind, the Deep Mind and the Mind of Merit-Dedication and Aspiration. Those who fully possess the Three States of Mind will certainly be reborn in that land.
“There are also three kinds of beings who will attain rebirth. What are these three?
1. Those who are kindhearted, abstain from killing, and observe all precepts.
2. Those who read and chant the Mahayana scriptures that expound universal equality.
3. Those who practice the Six Invocations.
Question 34.1: The Contemplation Sutra speaks of the “Three States of Mind.” The Infinite Life Sutra speaks of “utmost sincerity, faith, joy, and the desire to be born.” The Amitabha Sutra speaks of “single-minded concentration without distraction.” In the Pure Land teaching, how exactly should one give rise to the mind of
aspiration? If one does not understand these terms and their meanings, does that mean one cannot attain rebirth?
Answer: The aspirations described in the three sutras are consistent. The “mind of utmost sincerity” in the Contemplation Sutra corresponds to the “utmost sincerity” in the Infinite Life Sutra. The “mind of deep faith” in the Contemplation Sutra corresponds to “faith and joy” in the Infinite Life Sutra. The “mind of aspiration and dedication” in the Contemplation Sutra corresponds to the “desire to be born” in the Infinite Life Sutra. Taken together, these three are none other than the “single-minded concentration without distraction” of the Amitabha Sutra.
When examining the three sutras, both “one mind” and “three minds” serve to guide Pure Land practitioners in how to settle their minds. Of course, even if one does not fully understand these technical terms, as long as one exclusively recites Namo Amitabha Buddha and aspires for birth in the Pure Land, the “one mind” and the “three minds” are already accomplished. Rebirth is assured—this is what is meant by “silently connecting with the Buddha’s wisdom, and naturally harmonizing with the profound truth.”
34. 《觀經》具三心者必生彼國
若有眾生，願生彼國者，發三種心，即便往生。何等為三？一者至誠心，二 者深心，三者迴向發願心。具三心者，必生彼國。
34.1 問：《觀經》講「三心」，《無量壽經》講「至心信樂欲生」，《阿彌陀經》講「一 心不亂」，淨土門到底怎樣發心？如果不瞭解這些名相和內涵，是不是就不能 往生？
答：三經所示發心是一致的。《觀經》的「至誠心」就是《無量壽經》的「至心」 ，《觀經》的「深心」就是《無量壽經》的「信樂」，《觀經》的「迴向發願心」就是《無 量壽經》的「願生」，三者合而為一，就是《阿彌陀經》的「一心不亂」。
縱觀三經，「一心」「三心」皆為引導淨土宗行者如何安心。當然，若不瞭 解這些名相，但能專修念佛、願生淨土，「一心」「三心」自在其中，往生一定， 所謂「潛通佛智，暗合道妙」。
Namo Amituofo!
