The Attainment of Contemplative Practice in the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra

In the Dharma-ending age, if one cultivates according to the contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) of the Contemplation Sutra (Aparimitāyur-jñāna-sūtra), the attainment will be swift and secure. If there were a relatively detailed treasure map of the land of bliss (sukhāvatī) to serve as a guide for contemplation, I could lead everyone in contemplating from the first contemplation all the way to the sixteenth. Upon accomplishing the third contemplation, I guarantee that everyone will certainly be reborn in the land of bliss (sukhāvatī) — far more reliable and secure than foreknowing the time of death — and moreover, meditative concentration (samādhi) will never be lost, and the Buddha's power will always bless and protect. When the third contemplation is accomplished, meditative concentration will be excellent, and the karma of the three evil destinies will be eliminated; one will no longer fall into the three evil destinies due to karmic obstructions, and meditative concentration will not regress; therefore rebirth is certain.

By the seventh contemplation, one will certainly see the mind and attain realization. With the blessing of the Buddha's power, mere intellectual understanding is impossible — only genuine realization can occur. Upon reaching the land of bliss (sukhāvatī), the retribution will be supremely extraordinary.

Meditative concentration cultivated on one's own, because of karmic power and ignorance, will regress upon encountering conditions. Meditative concentration blessed by the Buddha's power will never regress. After the third contemplation, this is how it is.