..續本文上一頁f hell suddenly close in on him, he may meet a good teacher, who compassionately explains to him the ten supernal powers of Amitayus, fully describing the majestic power of the light of that Buddha, his virtues in the observance of the precepts, meditation, wisdom, emancipation and knowledge of emancipation.

　　此人聞已，除八十億劫生死之罪。地獄猛火，化爲清涼風，吹諸天華，華上皆有化佛菩薩，迎接此人，

　　When he has heard this, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara are extinguished; thus, the fierce flames of hell turn into cool and refreshing breezes, wafting heavenly flowers. On each flower is a transformed Buddha accompanied by bodhisattvas welcoming him.

　　如一念頃，即得往生七寶池中蓮華之內，經於六劫，蓮華乃敷。觀世音、大勢至，以梵音聲安慰彼人，爲說大乘甚深經典，聞此法已，應時即發無上道心，是名下品中生者。

　　"In an instant, he attains birth within a lotus-bud on a seven-jewelled pond. After six kalpas the lotus-bud opens, and then Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta comfort him with their noble voices and teach him profound Mahayana sutras. Upon hearing these, he immediately awakens aspiration for the highest Enlightenment. Such a person is called one who attains birth on the middle level of the lowest grade."

　　9) the lowest level of the lowest grade

　　佛告阿難及韋提希：下品下生者，或有衆生，作不善業，五逆十惡，具諸不善，如此愚人，以惡業故，應墮惡道，經曆多劫，受苦無窮。

　　The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi, "Those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest offenses, the ten evil acts 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.

　　如此愚人，臨命終時，遇善知識，種種安慰，爲說妙法，教令念佛，彼人苦逼，不遑念佛。善友告言：汝若不能念彼佛者，應稱無量壽佛。

　　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.”

　　如是至心，令聲不絕，具足十念，稱南無阿彌陀佛。稱佛名故，於念念中，除八十億劫生死之罪。

　　In this way, he sincerely and continuously says ”Homage to Amitayus Buddha” [Na-mo-o-mi-t”o-fo] 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.

　　於蓮華中，滿十二大劫，蓮華方開，觀世音、大勢至、以大悲音聲，爲其廣說諸法實相，除滅罪法。

　　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, Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta teach him with voices of great compassion the method of extinguishing evil karma through the realization of Suchness of all dharmas.

　　聞已歡喜，應時即發菩提之心，是名下品下生者，是名下生輩想，名第十六觀。

　　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."

《Contemplation Sutra 佛說觀無量壽佛經(節錄)》全文閱讀結束。