Is it possible that with an untamed mind, incessant greed, and unceasing hatred in daily life, one could relinquish everything at the moment of death—untainted by a single attachment, carrying nothing away—departing pure, unburdened, and free to be reborn in the Pure Land?
To speak truthfully: Attaining rebirth in the Pure Land is even more difficult than severing the view of self. At the moment of death, a single thought clinging to the Saha World, a single attachment, a single reluctance to let go, a single moment of resentment—all the cultivation done in this lifetime merely plants virtuous roots. Do not entertain hopes for the Pure Land. Instead, one continues to revolve in the cycle of birth and death within the Saha World. Even attaining rebirth in the human realm again is difficult. Is the mind of a being in the Heaven of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception not pure? Yet, when evil karmic conditions ripen at the time of death, they still fall into hell. How much more so for humans in the desire realm, where evil conditions are so numerous? At the moment of death, it is rarely determined by one’s usual subjective thoughts; it is dictated by karmic conditions and the force of karma. Even those who foresee their time of death may still remain in the Saha World due to a single thought—for the sake of sentient beings, to demonstrate the Dharma, not for oneself. Moreover, in other circumstances, karmic creditors entangle one in various ways—entangled and chaotic, with both wholesome and unwholesome conditions arising. Who can possibly break free?
When it is said that rebirth in the Pure Land is not easy, some feel indignant. Observe how people recite the Buddha’s name today, with what mind they recite, what vows they hold in their hearts, and for what purpose they seek the Pure Land—then it becomes clear whether present-day reciters can attain rebirth there upon death. Open the Records of the Pure Land’s Saints and Sages and see how the ancients recited the Buddha’s name. Compare them, and you will understand whether present-day reciters can be reborn in the Pure Land. Do not say that those seeking rebirth in the Pure Land lack the capacity. Even those who practice Chan meditation seeking enlightenment—what is their capacity? If upholding the Five Precepts is already so difficult, and maintaining a vegetarian diet is unfeasible, what more need be said of other practices?
If everyone relies solely on Amitabha Buddha’s reception, wouldn’t things be much simpler? Then a single Buddha could deliver all sentient beings in the universe—there would be no need for the Buddhas of the ten directions. Is such an easy thing possible? Recite the Buddha’s name once and reach the Pure Land, then wait to become a Buddha? At death’s moment, holding the Pure Land’s Amitabha Buddha with one hand while clutching the Saha World’s karmic creditors with the other—is that how one becomes a Buddha?
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