the beings who will be born in the middle form of the highest grade
Next, the beings who will be born in the middle form of the highest grade are those who do not necessarily learn, remember, study, or recite those Vaipulya Sutras, but fully understand the meaning of the truth contained in them, and having a firm grasp of the highest truth and do not speak evil of the Mahayana doctrine, but deeply believe in (the principle of) cause and effect; When one who has acquired these qualities is to be born anew in the Pure Land, the lotus flowers will open after a night.
the beings who will be born in the lowest form of the highest grade
Next are those who are to be born in the lowest form of the highest grade: this class of beings also believes in the principle of cause and effect, and without slandering the Mahayana doctrine, simply cherishes the thought of obtaining the highest Bodhi. When they are to be born anew in the Pure Land, after one day and one night the lotus flowers will unfold.
The beings who will be born in the highest form of the middle grade
The beings who will be born in the highest form of the middle grade are those who observe the five prohibitive precepts, the eight prohibitive precepts and the fasting, and practice all the moral precepts; who do not commit the five deadly sins, and who bring no blame or trouble upon any being; when they are born anew in the Pure Land, soon the lotus flowers will unfold.
The beings who will be born in the middle form of the middle grade
The beings who will be born in the middle form of the middle grade are those who either observe the eight prohibitive precepts, and the fasting for one day and one night, or observe the prohibitive precept for Sramanera for the same period, or observe the perfect moral precepts, not lowering their dignity nor neglecting any ceremonial observance for one day and one night. When they are born anew in the Pure Land, in seven days those lotus flowers will unfold.
The beings who will be born in the lowest form of the middle grade
The beings who will be born in the lowest form of the middle grade are those who act filially towards their parents and support them and are possessed of a compassionate mind and treat others with kindness. When they about to die, a good knowing advisor who masters the tenets of Buddhism preaches to them everything about the Blissful Land and bhiksu Dharmakara’s 48 original vows. When they are born anew in the Pure Land, after seven days those lotus flowers will unfold.
the beings who will be born in the highest form of the lowest grade
Next are the beings who will be born in the highest form of the lowest grade. If there be any one who commits many evil deeds, provided that he does not speak evil of the Mahayana Sutras, he, though himself a very stupid man, and neither ashamed nor sorry for all the evil actions that he has done, yet, while dying, may meet a good and learned teacher who will recite and laud the headings and titles of the twelve divisions of the Mahayana scriptures. Having thus heard the names of all the Sutras, he will be freed from the greatest sins which would involve him in births and deaths during a thousand kalpas. A wise man also will teach him to stretch forth his folded hands and to say, “Namo Amitabha Buddha”. Having uttered the name of the Buddha, he will be freed from the sins which would otherwise involve him in births and deaths for five billion kalpas. When they are born anew in the Pure Land, after the lapse of seven weeks, the lotus-flower will unfold.
the beings who will be born in the middle form of the lowest grade
Next are the beings who will be born in the middle form of the lowest grade. If there is anyone who transgresses the five and the eight prohibitive precepts, and also all the perfect moral precepts; he, being himself so stupid as to steal things that belong to the whole Sangha or things that belong to a particular Bhikkhu and not be ashamed nor sorry for his impure preaching of the Dharma (in case of preacher), but magnify and glorify himself with many wicked deeds – such a sinful person deserves to fall into hell in consequence of those sins. At the time of his death, when the fires of hell approach him from all sides, he will meet a good and learned teacher who will, out of great compassion, preach the power and virtue of of Amitabha Buddha and fully explain the supernatural powers and brilliant rays of that Buddha; and will further praise precepts, meditation, wisdom, emancipation, and the thorough knowledge that follows emancipation. After having heard this, he will be freed from his sins, which would involve him in births and deaths during eight billion kalpas. When they are born anew in the Pure Land, after six kalpas the lotus flowers will open.
the beings who will be born in the lowest form of the lowest grade
Finally, there are the beings who will be born in the lowest form of the lowest grade. If there is anyone who commits evil deeds, and even completes the ten wicked actions, the five deadly sins and the like; that man, being himself stupid and guilty of many crimes, deserves to fall into a miserable path of existence and suffer endless pains during many kalpas. On the eve of death he will meet a good and learned teacher who will, soothing and encouraging him in various ways, preach to him the excellent Dharma and teach him the remembrance of Buddha, but, being harassed by pains, he will have no time to think of Buddha. Some good friend will then say to him: “Even if you cannot exercise the remembrance of Buddha, you may, at least, utter the name, “Amitabha Buddha”. Let him do so serenely with his voice uninterrupted; let him be (continually) thinking of Buddha until he has completed ten times the thought, repeating the formula, “Namo Amitabha Buddha”. By uttering that name he will, during every repetition, expiate the sins which involved him in births and deaths during eight billion kalpas. When they get reborn in the Pure Land, after twelve kalpas the lotus flowers will unfold.
Here we are not going to specifically translate the ancient Chinese text into the vernacular and explain the content of the Sixteen Meditations and 9 levels of rebirth in detail. In the future, when studying <Contemplation Sutra of Buddha Amitayus>, we will make a context-based explanation. At present, we only make relevant extracts of conditions about rebirth in the Pure Land from other scriptures. We here only brief on the rudimentary aspects in this regard.
In another scripture about the Pure Land, <The Amitabha Sutra> (The Smaller Sukhavativyuha Sutra), the Buddha told Shariputra and the dharma assembly members about the method for rebirth in Sukhavati, which was relatively simple. The original text goes like this:
“Shariputra, if there be a good man or a good woman, who, on hearing of Buddha Amitayus, keeps his name (in mind) with thoughts undisturbed for one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, or seven days, that person, when about to die, (will see) Amitayus Buddha accompanied by his holy host appear before him; and immediately after his death, he with his mind undisturbed can be born into the Sukhavati land of Buddha Amitayus.”
In <The Amitabha Sutra>, the targeted audience is Shariputra, known as the Wisdom First among all disciples, and Theravada disciples proficient in the four dhyanas on the form-realm and the eight concentrations. (i.e. four on the form-realm and the four on the formless-realms). The Buddha told them the method for rebirth in the Pure Land was on hearing of Buddha Amitayus, keeping his name (in mind) with thoughts undisturbed for one day to seven days. It is necessary for the person to possess power of Shamatha and Samadhibala if he wants to keep Amitabha Buddha’s name in his mind and mouth with thoughts undisturbed even for one day. Otherwise, he easily gets drowsy and lost in discursive thoughts. It is a lot easier for disciples in possession of Samadhibala to maintain that state.
Although all these three scriptures involve methods for rebirth in Sukhavati, different aspects about the description of the Land and methods for rebirth are emphasized in each scripture to target at a variety of audiences. To summarize, after studying these three scriptures classified as “the three Pure Land scriptures” we find that there are altogether two most important requirements for rebirth in the West Pure Land.
One essential requirement is the sincere aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land and the wholehearted adherence to this wish. Cast away your usual attitude of indifference to what you are doing by saying that you only follow luck. Do not say that you are not good enough now, and you will make a resolution to go to the Pure Land when your cultivation gets better. Never be foolishly modest on this matter.
The other essential requirement for human beings and beings of three evil paths without Samadhibala is to remember Amitabha Buddha’s name. It is particularly important for human beings to remember or chant the special password to the Pure Land -Namo Amitabha Buddha during Antarabhava. It is also feasible to silently recite the Name in one’s heart. To have a sincere wish to get reborn and to remember the Name of Amitabha Buddha— these are almost two essential conditions for rebirth. If you still feel that you lack confidence and are somewhat uncertain of your rebirth, you’d better pay attention to two attached conditions: first, initiating the mind of Bodhi in our world of Saha; understanding the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha; eliminating the defilements of mind, such as killing, stealing and lust; practicing correct Samadhi, performing six paramitas and carrying out all actions for salvation; second, cutting off all evils and cultivating the good and accumulating various merits and virtues. If conditions permit, fellow practitioners shall refer to The <Amitabha Sutra> and <Contemplation Sutra of Buddha Amitayus>.