Attaining non-retrogression by all Amitabha-reciters
A path of no-falling-back assured from Amitabha Buddha
Excerpted from Ten Doubts About Pure Land, by Master Zhi-yi
We sentient beings in this Saha World, completely entangled in afflictions and evil views and bound to develop afflictions and perverse views constantly, yet we may achieve rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land. Under such dire circumstances, how can we be said upon rebirth to have “transcended the Three Realms” and “attained the Stage of Non-Retrogression”?
The 6th Century T’ien T’ai Chinese Patriarch Master Zhi-yi had once addressed this in the book “Ten Doubts About the Pure Land” about the attainment of non-retrogression.
Those who are reborn in the Pure Land, though they may be ordinary beings totally enmeshed in evil karma, cannot ever develop afflictions or perverse views in the Pure Land, nor can they fail to achieve non-retrogression in their path of enlightenment.
This is because of these five factors:
a) The power of the Buddha’s great, compassionate vow embraces and protects them
b) The Buddha’s light (wisdom) always shines upon them and, therefore, the Bodhi Mind of these superior persons will always progress
c) In the Western Pure Land, the birds, water, forests, trees, wind, and music all preach the Dharma of “suffering, emptiness, impermanence and no-self.” Upon hearing this, practitioners begin to focus on the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha
d) Those who are reborn in the Pure Land have the highest-level Bodhisattvas as their companions and are free from all obstacles, calamities, and evil conditions. Moreover, there are no externalists or evil demons, so their Minds are always calm and still
e) Once they are reborn in the Pure Land, their life span is inexhaustible, equal to that of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Thus, they can peacefully cultivate for countless aeons.
Because of these five causes and conditions, sentient beings who are reborn in the Pure Land will certainly achieve non-retrogression and will never develop afflictions or perverse views.
Sentient beings in this world of the five turbidities, on the other hand, have short life spans and face a host of perverse conditions and obstructions. Therefore, they have great difficulty achieving non-retrogression. This truth is self-evident and beyond doubt.
Resources:
Biography of Master Zhi-yi (538–597 CE)
See also: Benefits of Mindful Chanting of Amitabha Buddha
See also: Single-minded Practice of Buddha-name Chanting
