Fourthly, clarifying functions and applications –
The fourth point is the application of power. The Amitabha Sutra uses the non-retrogression of rebirth as its power. There are four realms in the Pure Land, each with nine grades. The characteristics of being born into the four realms of the Pure Land can be briefly explained as such:
If one holds the name of the Buddha but has not severed views and thoughts, depending on whether one’s mind is scattered or focused, one will be born in the Coexistence Realm of the Pure Land, which is further divided into three grades and nine levels.
If one holds the name until one’s mind is completely focused on the matter, and views and thoughts naturally fall away, one will be born in the Realm of Expedient Means.
If one attains perfect concentration on the principle and breaks through the first grade of ignorance, up to the forty-first grade, one will be born in the Realm of Reward and Magnificence, as well as partially realize the Realm of Eternal Tranquility and Light.
If one completely eradicates ignorance, one will be born in the highest level of Real Reward Realm, the ultimate Pure Land of Tranquility and Light.
The concept of non-retrogression has four meanings: First, non-retrogression in thought, which means breaking through ignorance, revealing Buddha-nature, directly attaining the true reward, and partially realizing the Pure Land of Tranquility.
Second, non-retrogression in practice, which means that views and thoughts have fallen away, the dust and sand have been broken, and one is born in the Land of Expedient Means, progressing towards the ultimate fruit.
Third, non-retrogression in stage, which means being reborn in the Land of Coexistence with karma, taking refuge in a lotus flower, and forever free from the causes of regression.
Fourth, non-retrogression in finality – regardless of whether one is focused or distracted, mindful or mindless, getting it or not getting it, as long as one hears the name of Amitabha Buddha or the names of the Buddhas of the six directions, or the name of this Sutra, one will ultimately be liberated through this, even after countless eons. It is exactly as the legend goes – once a poisoned drum is struck, all hearers near or far will die from it; once a small amount of Vajra is eaten, it will stay indigestable forever.
Furthermore, those who are born in the Land of Coexistence with karma and attain the position of non-retrogression are all destined to become Buddhas in one lifetime. Because they get to live together with all the most enlightened beings in one place, being born in the Land of Coexistence is already by itself a direct rebirth in the three higher realms, so they surely will become Buddhas in one lifetime. And the fourth non-retrogression is in itself a complete realization of the other three non-retrogressions.
The above-mentioned functions and applications are unprecedented in other countless sutras or treatises. It is truly inconceivable comparing to the practice of ‘sudden enlightenment’, which is merely a gradual step towards liberation from the mundane world, since the latter requires continuous non-regression life after life before one can aspire to Buddhahood. Practitioners should really reflect upon this.
第四明力用。此經以往生不退為力用。往生有四土，各論九品。且略明得生四土之相：若執持名號，未斷見思，隨其或散或定，於同居土分三輩九品；若持至事一心不亂，見思任運先落，則生方便有餘淨土；若至理一心不亂，豁破無明一品，乃至四十一品，則生實報莊嚴淨土，亦分證常寂光土；若無明斷盡，則是上上實報，究竟寂光也。不退有四義：一念不退。破無明，顯佛性，徑生實報，分證寂光。二行不退。見思既落，塵沙亦破，生方便土，進趨極果。三位不退。帶業往生，在同居土，蓮華托質，永離退緣。四畢竟不退。不論至心散心，有心無心，或解不解，但彌陀名號，或六方佛名，此經名字，一經於耳，假使千萬劫後，畢竟因斯度脫。如聞塗毒鼓，遠近皆喪，食少金剛，決定不消也。復次只帶業生同居淨證位不退者，皆與補處俱，亦皆一生必補佛位。夫上善一處，是生同居，即已橫生上三土，一生補佛。是位不退，即已圓證三不退。如斯力用，乃千經萬論所未曾有。較彼頓悟正因，僅為出塵階漸，生生不退，始可期於佛階者，不可同日語矣。宗教之士，如何勿思。
