先往生净土，秽土少秽者。
净化身口意，速成大菩萨。First, with rebirth in Pure Land, this defiled land will have one less defiled being. Purifying one’s deeds, words and thoughts there, quickly accomplishing as a Great Bodhisattva.
济世偈（一）
Verses On Aiding All Worlds (1)
Some wrongly assume that to reach Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛: Amitā[bha] Buddha) Pure Land (净土) is to forsake this world and loved ones, to ‘escape’ for ‘retirement’ there. This is not so as going to Pure Land is for furthering spiritual learning and practice, not about abandoning all beings (舍弃众生).
Just as to go to school is not to forgo working, but to train for working better, to reach Pure Land is for spiritual training, to be the most efficient Bodhisattvas as swiftly as possible, thereupon returning to benefit not just this world, but all defiled lands (秽土).
Some might be attached to the aspiration of ‘riding upon vow(s) to come again’ (乘愿再来) immediately after this life ends to continue their past lives’ good works. However, how can this be definitely done in the next life if we will forget this life’s aspirations, along with all the Dharma learnt and practised?
We know this will be so as we did not recollect our past lives when reborn in this life. If we were not great practitioners capable of remembering our past lives in this life, there is no reason to think we will remember this life in the next here.
However, as empowered by Āmítuófó, upon reaching and returning from his Pure Land, we will be able to recollect everyone’s past lives, including all the Dharma learnt from many Buddhas, not just in that Pure Land.
All will be able to, ‘for sentient beings thus, wear the armour of great vows [of Universal Virtue Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨)], accumulate and amass virtuous roots, to deliver and liberate all’ (为众生故，被弘誓铠，积累德本，度脱一切).
With this ‘armour’, all will be protected from obstacles, such as forgetting of past lives. With this empowered safety and recollection, all worlds and loved ones can be best helped.
An excellent example of one who rode upon his vows to come again properly after reaching Pure Land is the Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng (净土宗十三祖印光大师), who is actually Great Power Arrived Bodhisattva’s (大势至菩萨) manifestation. His great Dharma education work still benefits us today.
Thus, Dharma practitioners should likewise aspire to reach this best Dharma school recommended by all Buddhas in the Amitā[bha] Sūtra《阿弥陀经》, to train well before returning. Who are we to disregard their skilful repeated exhortations?
后乘愿再来，秽土多净者。
教化诸众生，亦成佛菩萨。Then, riding on vows to again come, this defiled land will have one more purified being. Teaching and transforming all sentient beings, to likewise accomplish as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
济世偈（二）
Verses On Aiding All Worlds (2)
Related Articles:
应当马上乘愿再来吗？
Should We Aspire To Return Here Immediately?
https://purelanders.com/2019/06/07/should-we-aspire-to-return-here-immediately
十大对净土教理的误解
[7] Top Ten Misconceptions About The Pure Land Teachings
https://purelanders.com/2023/02/20/7-top-ten-misconceptions-about-pure-land-teachings
愿生净土者有舍弃其他众生吗？
Do Pure Land Aspirants Forsake Other Beings?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2014/03/do-pure-land-aspirants-forsake-other-beings
How Death Hinders Progress To Liberation
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2013/04/how-death-hinders-progress-to-liberation
净土宗十三祖印光大师如何被认定为大势至菩萨的化身
[44] How The Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng Was Recognised As Great Power Arrived (Mahāsthāmaprāpta) Bodhisattva’s Manifestation
https://purelanders.com/2021/03/18/how-master-yinguang-was-recognised-as-great-power-arrived-bodhisattvas-manifestation
宿命通偈
Verses On Supernormal Power Of Knowing Past Lives
https://purelanders.com/2023/08/30/verses-on-supernormal-power-of-knowing-past-lives
