Only by Practicing the Contemplation Sutra of Amitāyus Can One Ensure Rebirth in the Pure Land.

In the Dharma-ending age, if one cultivates according to the contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) of the Contemplation Sutra (Aparimitāyur-jñāna-sūtra), the attainment will be swift and secure. If there is a relatively detailed treasure map of the land of bliss (sukhāvatī) to serve as a guide for contemplation, all of us would be able to contemplate continuously from the first contemplation all the way to the sixteenth contemplation. Once the third contemplation is accomplished, rebirth in the land of bliss is guaranteed—it is far more reliable and secure than knowing the time of one's death in advance—and moreover, meditative concentration (samādhi) will never be lost, and the Buddha's power will always bless and protect. When the third contemplation is accomplished, the meditative concentration will be excellent, and the karma of the three evil destinies will be eliminated; one will no longer fall into the three evil destinies due to karmic obstructions, and the meditative concentration will not regress; therefore rebirth is certain.

At the seventh contemplation, one will certainly see the mind and attain realization. With the blessing of the Buddha's power, mere intellectual understanding is impossible—only true realization can occur. Upon reaching the land of bliss, one's retribution will be incomparably sublime. The meditative concentration one cultivates on one's own, because of karmic power and ignorance, will regress whenever conditions arise. But meditative concentration blessed by the Buddha's power will never regress. Such is the case after the third contemplation.