Cultivating the Contemplation Sutra Ensures Rebirth in the Pure Land

In the Dharma-Ending Age, practicing according to the contemplative methods described in the Contemplation Sutra leads to swift and secure attainment. If guided by a relatively detailed treasure map of the Pure Land for visualization, we can progress from the First Contemplation all the way to the Sixteenth Contemplation. Upon achieving the Third Contemplation, rebirth in the Pure Land is guaranteed. This is far more reliable and secure than foreknowledge of the time of rebirth. Moreover, meditative concentration is never lost, and one is perpetually sustained by the Buddha's power. When the Third Contemplation is attained, meditative concentration becomes exceptionally profound. The karmic obstacles leading to the three lower realms are eradicated, ensuring one will not fall into the lower realms due to karmic hindrances. Since meditative concentration does not regress, rebirth is assured.

Achieving the Seventh Contemplation inevitably leads to the realization of the mind's true nature. With the Buddha's power sustaining one, intellectual understanding is impossible; only direct realization occurs. Rebirth in the Pure Land yields supremely magnificent karmic rewards. Meditative concentration attained through one's own practice, due to karmic forces and ignorance, may regress when encountering certain conditions. However, meditative concentration sustained by the Buddha's power never regresses. This is the state from the Third Contemplation onward.