..續本文上一頁 lowest level of the highest grade. These three together are known as the contemplation of the highest grade of aspirants, and the fourteenth contemplation. To practice in this way is called the correct contemplation, and to practice otherwise is incorrect."
4) the highest level of the middle grade
佛告阿難，及韋提希：中品上生者，若有衆生，受持五戒，持八戒齋，修行諸戒，不造五逆，無衆過患，以此善根，回向願求生於西方極樂世界，
The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Those who attain birth on the highest level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who keep the five precepts, observe the eight abstinences, practice in compliance with various precepts, and abstain from committing the five gravest offenses and other transgressions. They transfer the merit acquired to the Western Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.
臨命終時，阿彌陀佛，與諸比丘，眷屬圍繞，放金色光，至其人所，演說苦、空、無常、無我，贊歎出家，得離衆苦。
"When such a person is about to die, Amitayus appears before him, surrounded by a host of monks and radiating a golden light. He then expounds the truth of suffering, emptiness, impermanence and no-self, and praises renunciation of the world as the way to escape from suffering.
行者見已，心大歡喜，自見己身，坐蓮華臺，長跪合掌，爲佛作禮。未舉頭頃，即得往生極樂世界，蓮華尋開。當華敷時，聞衆音聲，贊歎四谛，應時即得阿羅漢道，叁明六通，具八解脫，是名中品上生者。
"Seeing this, the aspirant greatly rejoices and finds himself seated upon a lotus-flower. He kneels down, joins his palms and worships the Buddha. Before he raises his head, he attains birth in the Land of Utmost Bliss, where his lotus-bud soon opens. When the flower opens, he hears various sounds and voices extolling the Four Noble Truths. He immediately attains Arhatship, acquires the three kinds of transcendent knowledge and the six supernatural powers, and realizes the eight samadhis of emancipation. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the highest level of the middle grade.
5) the middle level of the middle grade
中品中生者，若有衆生，若一日一夜持八戒齋，若一日一夜持沙彌戒，若一日一夜持具足戒，威儀無缺，以此功德，回向發願求生極樂國。
"Those who attain birth on the middle level of the middle grade are the sentient beings who observe for at least a day and night the eight abstinences, the precepts for a novice or the complete precepts of a monk or a nun, and do not violate any of the rules of conduct. They transfer the merit acquired to the Land of Utmost Bliss, aspiring to be born there.
戒香熏修，如此行者，命欲終時，見阿彌陀佛，與諸眷屬，放金色光，持七寶蓮華，至行者前，行者自聞空中有聲，贊言：善男子！如汝善人，隨順叁世諸佛教故，我來迎汝。
"When such an aspirant, perfumed by the virtue of observing the precepts, is about to die, he sees Amitayus coming towards him with his attendants, radiating a golden light and carrying a seven-jewelled lotus-flower. He hears a voice in the sky above praising him, saying ”Man of good deeds, since you are virtuous and have followed the teachings of the Buddhas of the three periods, I have come to welcome you.”
行者自見坐蓮華上，蓮華即合，生於西方極樂世界。在寶池中，經於七日，蓮華乃敷，華既敷已，開目合掌，贊歎世尊，聞法歡喜，得須陀洹，經半劫已，成阿羅漢，是名中品中生者。
The aspirant finds himself seated upon the lotus-flower. The flower having closed, the aspirant is born on a jewelled pond of the Western Land of Utmost Bliss. After seven days the lotus-bud unfolds, and then he opens his eyes. With joined palms he pays homage to the World-Honored One, rejoices at hearing the Dharma and reaches the Stage of a Stream-Winner. After half a kalpa, he becomes an Arhat. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the middle grade.
中品下生者，若有善男子善女人，孝養父母，行世仁慈，此人命欲終時，遇善知識，爲其廣說阿彌陀佛國土樂事，亦說法藏比丘四十八願，
[27] "Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the middle grade are good men and women who are dutiful to and care for their parents and do benevolent deeds for others. When such a person is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who fully explains to him the bliss of the land of Amitayus and the Forty-eight Great Vows of the Bhiksu Dharmakara.
聞此事已，尋即命終。譬如壯士伸臂頃，即生西方極樂世界，經七日已，遇觀世音，及大勢至，聞法歡喜…
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