English
English version The light illuminates one hundred yojanas (yojana, an ancient Indian unit of distance). It is also the same as described before, present everywhere. Therefore, the *Sui Xiang Jing* (瑞相经, Sutra of Auspicious Signs) says: 'Countless jeweled nets are adorned with gold threads, pearls, and various precious and wonderful treasures, with jeweled bells hanging all around, their light dazzling and extremely magnificent. Auspicious winds gently blow through the many nets, the sounds evolving into the Dharma sound, vibrating and spreading in all directions, pleasing to the ears and gladdening the heart, increasing happiness even more.' The seven rows of trees refer to seven rows of jeweled trees lined up along the roads, perpetually blooming with extraordinary flowers that never wither. Spiritual birds perch on the trees, and numerous sages wander among them, hence the saying 'seven rows of trees.' 'All are of the four treasures' means that they are all composed of the four treasures. The four treasures may be gold, silver, coral, or amber. The *Sui Xiang Jing* says: 'That country has seven-jeweled trees filling the world, some composed of two treasures or even multiple treasures combined. For example, a gold tree uses silver for its branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits, while a silver tree uses gold for its branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits. There are even trees with purple gold as the trunk, white silver as the stem, lapis lazuli as the branches, crystal as the twigs, coral as the leaves, agate as the flowers, and tridacna as the fruits.' White silver as the trunk, and so on, can be inferred in the same way, row upon row facing each other, branch upon branch reflecting each other, leaf upon leaf revealing each other, their glorious light shining, dazzling the eyes. Gentle breezes constantly emit five kinds of sounds, the subtle musical notes naturally resonating with each other.' Furthermore, the *Guan Jing* (观经, Contemplation Sutra) says: 'Each tree is eight thousand yojanas tall, and each leaf is twenty-five yojanas in length and width, displaying different colors. Within each flower and each leaf, there is the light of the seven treasures.' 'All are of the four treasures' is based on this sutra. Railings (lán dùn, balustrades), nets, and rows of trees, these three are all made of the four treasures. The four treasures are gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and *po-zhi-jia* (颇胝迦, crystal). Connecting to the above sutra, hence the saying 'all are of the four treasures.' 'Surrounding' is explained in many ways by Gu Shen (古申, a person's name): one explanation is that the railings surround the jeweled trees, hence the saying 'surrounding'; another explanation is that the railings, nets, and rows of trees surround the land, adorning it everywhere, hence the saying 'surrounding'. Question: 'Why are there seven layers of railings, nets, and rows of trees each, and no more?' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 减？”
Chinese
答：“表生归彼国得七觉支故，身口七支无诸过故，有七圣财。” 经云：“是故彼国名曰极乐”。 赞曰：第二结成极乐。 经云：“又，舍利弗！极乐国土有七宝池”。 赞曰：第二池严众宝。文分为七：第一、七宝池深；第二、八德水满；第三、金砂作地；第四、玉砌成阶；第五、朱阁凌空；第六、宝莲覆水；第七、结成极乐。此即初也。又者，如前解。七宝者：一金，金有五种，黄者为上，久埋不失，百炼不轻，从草不违，生于土左右，所以金字象金在土中形。二、银，易知。三、琉璃者，梵云吠琉璃，有五种色，略云琉璃。四者、玻璃者，《智度论》云：出山石窟中，过千年冰化为玻璃。净国无其寒暑，土地无冰，何物化焉？但是石类，非实石也，谓净土故亦云胝迦。五、车𤦲者，梵云牟娑洛揭拉婆，青白间色也。六、赤真珠者，珠体赤也。七、玛瑙者，梵云遏湿摩揭婆，此云杵藏，下辨七宝亦依此处。池者，池沼。严宝璎珞砌墁池潭，异种光曜自然严显。《瑞应经》云：其池纵广深浅或十由旬乃至百千由旬，其池岸上有栴檀树，华叶垂布香气馥薰也。 经云：“八功德水充满其中”。 赞曰：第二八德水满也。八功德水充满于池，净土福胜水异凡间 现代汉语译本： 问：‘减’是什么意思？ 答：‘表生’（指往生者）归往彼国，获得七觉支（七种觉悟的因素）的缘故，身口七支没有诸种过失的缘故，拥有七圣财（七种神圣的财富）。 经中说：‘因此，那个国家名叫极乐（Sukhāvatī）。’ 赞颂说：第二部分总结了极乐（Sukhāvatī）的殊胜。 经中说：‘又，舍利弗（Śāriputra）！极乐国土有七宝池。’ 赞颂说：第二部分赞叹宝池的众多珍宝。这段经文分为七个部分：第一、七宝池的深度；第二、八功德水充满；第三、金砂铺地；第四、玉石砌成台阶；第五、朱红色的楼阁高耸入云；第六、宝莲覆盖水面；第七、总结极乐（Sukhāvatī）的殊胜。这便是第一部分。‘又’，如前文解释。七宝是：一、金，金有五种，黄色的为上品，埋藏很久也不会失去光泽，经过多次冶炼也不会减轻重量，依附于草木生长，生长在土的左右，所以金字象征金在土中的形状。二、银，容易理解。三、琉璃，梵语叫吠琉璃（Vaiḍūrya），有五种颜色，简称为琉璃。四、玻璃，《智度论》中说：出自山石窟中，经过千年冰化为玻璃。净土没有寒暑变化，土地上没有冰，什么东西能融化成玻璃呢？但这是一种石头的类别，不是真正的石头，因为是净土的缘故，也叫胝迦（Ṭīkā）。五、车𤦲，梵语叫牟娑洛揭拉婆（Musāragalva），是青色和白色相间的颜色。六、赤真珠，珠子的本体是红色的。七、玛瑙，梵语叫遏湿摩揭婆（Aśmagarbha），这里翻译为杵藏，下面辨别七宝也依据这里。池，指水池、沼泽。用珍宝璎珞砌成池壁，装饰池潭，各种不同的光芒自然显现。《瑞应经》中说：池子的纵横深浅，或者十由旬（Yojana），乃至百千由旬（Yojana），池岸上有栴檀树（Candana），花叶垂落，香气浓郁。 经中说：‘八功德水充满其中。’ 赞颂说：第二部分赞叹八功德水充满。八功德水充满在池中，净土的福德殊胜，水与凡间的水不同。
English
English version: Question: What does ‘reduction’ mean? Answer: ‘Biao Sheng’ (referring to those reborn) return to that land, because they obtain the seven factors of enlightenment (seven aspects of awakening), and because the seven limbs of body and speech are without faults, they possess the seven noble riches (seven sacred treasures). The Sutra says: ‘Therefore, that land is called Sukhāvatī (极乐).’ The praise says: The second part concludes the excellence of Sukhāvatī (极乐). The Sutra says: ‘Moreover, Śāriputra (舍利弗)! In the land of Sukhāvatī (极乐) there are seven-jeweled ponds.’ The praise says: The second part praises the many treasures of the jeweled ponds. This passage is divided into seven parts: First, the depth of the seven-jeweled ponds; Second, the eight qualities of water are full; Third, the ground is made of golden sand; Fourth, jade forms the steps; Fifth, vermilion pavilions soar into the sky; Sixth, jeweled lotuses cover the water; Seventh, concluding the excellence of Sukhāvatī (极乐). This is the first part. ‘Moreover,’ as explained before. The seven jewels are: One, gold, gold has five types, yellow is the best, it does not lose its luster when buried for a long time, it does not lose weight after many refinements, it grows attached to plants, growing on the left and right of the soil, so the character for gold symbolizes gold in the soil. Two, silver, easy to understand. Three, lapis lazuli, in Sanskrit called Vaiḍūrya (吠琉璃), has five colors, abbreviated as lapis lazuli. Four, crystal, the *Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra* (智度论) says: it comes from mountain stone caves, after a thousand years of ice turning into crystal. The Pure Land has no cold or heat, and there is no ice on the land, so what can melt into crystal? But this is a type of stone, not a real stone, because it is the Pure Land, it is also called Ṭīkā (胝迦). Five, carnelian, in Sanskrit called Musāragalva (牟娑洛揭拉婆), is a color between blue and white. Six, red pearl, the body of the pearl is red. Seven, agate, in Sanskrit called Aśmagarbha (遏湿摩揭婆), here translated as pestle store, the following identification of the seven jewels also relies on this. Pond, refers to ponds and marshes. The walls of the pond are built with jeweled necklaces, decorating the pond, and various kinds of light naturally appear. The *Ruì Yīng Jīng* (瑞应经) says: The length, width, and depth of the ponds are either ten Yojana (由旬), or even hundreds of thousands of Yojana (由旬), and on the banks of the ponds are Candana (栴檀) trees, with flowers and leaves hanging down, and the fragrance is rich. The Sutra says: ‘The eight qualities of water are full within them.’ The praise says: The second part praises the fullness of the eight qualities of water. The eight qualities of water are full in the ponds, the merit of the Pure Land is superior, and the water is different from the water of the ordinary world. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
，含八德之殊功、益五常之妙体。八德者：一、澄净；二、清冷；三、甘美；四、轻软；五、润泽；六、安和；七、饮时除饥渴；八、饮已长养诸根。《清净觉经》云：其池中水浅深随念、上下逐心。《观经》云：水随莲华枝叶上下，水流之音或闻三宝、空无我等、诸波罗蜜之声也。 经曰：“池底纯以金沙布地”。 赞曰：第三金砂作地也。绿水金沙重重显映。《无量寿经》云：更迓相映，金池白银砂等。 经曰：“四边阶道，金、银、琉璃、玻璃合成”。 赞曰：第四玉砌成阶。边者周围四圻边也，阶即砌，道者路也，上阶之道也。金、银、琉璃、玻璃已如上解。合成者，四宝共合成故。 经云：“上有楼阁，亦以金、银、琉璃、玻璃、𤥭璖、赤珠、玛瑙而严饰之”。 赞曰：第五朱阁凌空也。上有楼阁者，七宝池上斗空起楼阁也。亦以者，七宝池上楼阁凌空还用宝成，故云亦也。金、银、琉璃、玻璃、𤥭璖、赤珠、玛瑙，七宝如前解也。严饰之者，庄严丽华饰也。《无量寿论》云：为地庄严也。《观经》云：处处皆有众宝楼阁庄严池上也。时时游赏、往往登攀，眺望净土，适悦情思也。 经曰：“池中莲华大如车轮”。 赞曰：第六宝莲覆水也。此文分四： 现代汉语译本：包含八种殊胜功德，增益五种恒常德行的微妙本体。八德是：一、澄澈洁净；二、清凉爽快；三、甘甜美好；四、轻盈柔软；五、滋润光泽；六、安宁祥和；七、饮用时消除饥渴；八、饮用后滋养各种根器。《清净觉经》（Qingjing Jue Jing）说：池中的水深浅随着意念而变化，上下随着心意而移动。《观经》（Guan Jing）说：水随着莲花的枝叶上下流动，水流的声音或者能听到三宝（Sanbao，佛、法、僧）、空无我等、各种波罗蜜（Boluo Mi，到达彼岸的方法）的声音。 经文说：‘池底完全用金沙铺地’。 赞语说：第三是金沙作为地面。绿水金沙相互辉映。《无量寿经》（Wuliangshou Jing）说：互相辉映，金池白银砂等。 经文说：‘四边阶梯道路，用金、银、琉璃、玻璃合成’。 赞语说：第四是用玉石砌成阶梯。边，指的是周围四方的边缘；阶，就是台阶；道，就是道路，是上阶的道路。金、银、琉璃、玻璃的解释如前所述。合成，是因为四种宝物共同合成的缘故。 经文说：‘上面有楼阁，也用金、银、琉璃、玻璃、𤥭璖（Meiju，一种宝石）、赤珠、玛瑙来庄严修饰’。 赞语说：第五是红色的楼阁高耸入云。上面有楼阁，指的是七宝池上凌空而起的楼阁。也用，指的是七宝池上的楼阁凌空而起，还是用宝物构成，所以说‘也’。金、银、琉璃、玻璃、𤥭璖、赤珠、玛瑙，这七宝的解释如前所述。庄严修饰，指的是庄严华丽的修饰。《无量寿论》（Wuliangshou Lun）说：为了庄严土地。《观经》（Guan Jing）说：处处都有用各种宝物建造的楼阁来庄严池塘。时时游赏，常常登高攀爬，眺望净土，使心情愉悦舒畅。 经文说：‘池中的莲花大如车轮’。 赞语说：第六是宝莲覆盖水面。这段文字分为四个部分：
English
English version: Containing the special merits of the Eight Virtues, enhancing the subtle essence of the Five Constant (Cardinal) Virtues. The Eight Virtues are: 1. Clarity and purity; 2. Coolness and refreshing; 3. Sweetness and deliciousness; 4. Lightness and softness; 5. Moistness and luster; 6. Peace and harmony; 7. Eliminating hunger and thirst when drinking; 8. Nourishing all roots after drinking. The *Qingjing Jue Jing* (Sutra of Pure Enlightenment) says: 'The depth of the water in the pond varies with thoughts, and its movement up and down follows the mind.' The *Guan Jing* (Contemplation Sutra) says: 'The water flows up and down with the branches and leaves of the lotus flowers, and the sound of the flowing water may be heard as the voices of the Three Jewels (Sanbao, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), emptiness, non-self, and various Paramitas (Boluo Mi, perfections).' The Sutra says: 'The bottom of the pond is entirely paved with gold sand.' The Commentary says: The third is gold sand as the ground. Green water and gold sand reflect each other. The *Wuliangshou Jing* (Infinite Life Sutra) says: 'Reflecting each other, gold pond, silver sand, etc.' The Sutra says: 'The steps and paths on the four sides are made of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal.' The Commentary says: The fourth is jade steps. 'Side' refers to the surrounding four edges; 'step' is the staircase; 'path' is the road, the path to ascend the steps. The explanations of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal are as above. 'Combined' means that the four treasures are combined together. The Sutra says: 'Above are pavilions, also adorned with gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, *Meiju* (a kind of gem), red pearls, and agate.' The Commentary says: The fifth is the red pavilion soaring into the sky. 'Above are pavilions' refers to the pavilions rising above the Seven Treasure Pond. 'Also with' means that the pavilions above the Seven Treasure Pond are still made of treasures, hence the word 'also'. Gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, *Meiju*, red pearls, and agate, the explanations of these seven treasures are as before. 'Adorned' refers to the magnificent and beautiful adornment. The *Wuliangshou Lun* (Treatise on the Infinite Life Sutra) says: 'To adorn the land.' The *Guan Jing* (Contemplation Sutra) says: 'Everywhere there are pavilions built with various treasures to adorn the pond.' Visiting and admiring at all times, often climbing and ascending, gazing at the Pure Land, making the mood pleasant and joyful. The Sutra says: 'The lotus flowers in the pond are as large as chariot wheels.' The Commentary says: The sixth is the treasure lotus covering the water. This passage is divided into four parts: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------