Tenfold Recitation in Pure Land: Rebirth on the Lowest Level of the Lowest Grade
Rebirth by Amitabha-recitation in 10 times
Master Tanluan (476－542 CE), a prominent patriarch in Pure Land Buddhism, interpreted “reciting Amitabha ten times” with an analytical set of 8 questions and answers. It helps to address the worries and doubts of most Pure Land practitioners, who worry about the influence of karmic forces that keep them in the Six Realms, and who might also doubt the inconceivable power of Amitabha Buddha to take them to the Land of Bliss near the end of their lives. It also facilitates them to build sincere faith and full confidence, and trust in the exclusive Amitabha-recitation that is essential to lead them to the Land of Bliss.
“To be reborn in the Land of Bliss by sincerely reciting Amitabha”s name even only ten times” is clearly stated in the 18th vow. Upon hearing this vow, some people may simply believe it and entrust themselves to Amitabha”s salvation. They are straightforward practitioners that strictly follow what the Buddha says and wishes, and exclusively recite Amitabha”s name until the end of their lives. These people have superior roots in faith, as their belief is based on the fundamental vow made by Amitabha Buddha, the trustworthy enlightened one with perfect wisdom and virtues.
In the Contemplation Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha spoke of nine rebirth grades and levels to illustrate the validity of Amitabha”s 18th vow. There are nine classes of rebirth: The high, medium and low form of rebirth for the highest grade (3 classes); the high, medium and low form of rebirth for the middle grade (3 classes); the high, medium and low form of rebirth for the lowest class (3 classes). Here is one extract about rebirth on the lowest level of the lowest grade:
“Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest transgressions [patricide, matricide, killing an arhat, spilling a Buddha”s blood, and causing schism in the sangha], the ten evil acts [the three physical evils of killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct; the four verbal evils of lying, flattery or indiscriminate and irresponsible speech, defamation, and duplicity; and the three mental evils of greed, anger, and foolishness or the holding of mistaken views] and all kinds of immorality. Owing to such evil karma, the fool like this will fall into evil realms and suffer endless agony for many kalpas.
When he is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who consoles him in various ways, teaching him the wonderful Dharma and urging him to be mindful of the Buddha; but he is too tormented by pain to do so. The good teacher then advises him, ”If you cannot concentrate on the Buddha, then you should say instead, Homage to Amitayus Buddha.” In this way, he sincerely and continuously says ”Homage to Amitayus Buddha” [Namo Amituofo] ten times.
Because he calls the Buddha”s Name, with each repetition, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara is extinguished. When he comes to die, he sees before him a golden lotus-flower like the disk of the sun, and in an instant he is born within a lotus-bud in the Land of Utmost Bliss.
After twelve great kalpas the lotus-bud opens. When the flower opens, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta teach him with voices of great compassion the method of extinguishing evil karma through the realization of Suchness of all Dharmas. Hearing this, he rejoices and immediately awakens aspiration for Enlightenment. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the lowest grade of aspirants and the sixteenth contemplation.
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