If in the section 46 Shakyamuni
explained that there are many Mahayana followers (bodhisattvas in aspiration)
in various worlds who are in the stage of non-retrogression[1]
for being born in the Pure Land and attaining Enlightenment there, in section
47 He presents the causes of entering this stage:
“The Buddha said to Maitreya, ‘If there are people who hear the
Name of that Buddha, rejoice so greatly as to dance, and think of Him even
once, then you should know that they have gained great benefit by receiving
unsurpassed virtue. For this reason, Maitreya, even if a great fire were to
fill the universe of a thousand million worlds, you should pass through it to
hear this sutra, to arouse joyful faith, to uphold and chant it, and to
practice in accordance with its teachings. This is because there are many
bodhisattvas who wish to hear this teaching but are still unable to do so. If
there are sentient beings who have heard it, they will attain the stage of
non-retrogression for realizing the highest Enlightenment. This is why you
should singleheartedly accept in faith, uphold, and chant this sutra, and
practice in accordance with its teachings.’”[2]
Before
commenting on the above passage we must bear in mind that in this sutra
Shakyamuni presents just one of the two paths of entering the stage of
non-retrogression, that is, through faith in Amida. The Larger Sutra is, so to speak, the sutra of the Easy Path of
entering the stage of non-retrogression for those who make the Mahayana aspiration
to attain Buddhahood for themselves and all beings (bodhisattvas in
aspirations).