21-24. The reason why the Tathagata S'akyamuni was revealed to the world was solely that he might proclaim the Boundless Ocean of Amida's Fundamental Vow. Men, numerous as the Ocean Waves, who are subject to the Five Obstacles [*++] and

entangled in Evil, should certainly listen to the Tathagata's true words.

25-28. If once there be aroused in. us but one thought of joy and love (in consequence of the Vow), we turn just as we are [**] with our sins and lusts upon us, towards Nirvana. Laymen and saints alike, [*+] even those who have committed the five deadly sins, [*++] and slandered the Holy Laws of Buddha, will yet, by faith in the power of the Tathagata, enter into the enjoyment and taste of his mercy, as surely as the water in the mountain stream ultimately reaches the Ocean and becomes salt.

29-35. The Light of the Divine Heart which has taken hold of us, illuminates and protects us

continually, and dispels the darkness of Ignorance. It is true that the dark mist of covetousness and passion constantly overhangs the sky that is above the believing heart. Yet, though the sky above may be constantly overcast, beneath the cloud [**] it is light, there is no darkness.

35-40. When we have made Faith our own, and have received a sight of the great mercy and a thought of pious joy, we pass away sideways [*+] from the five evil spheres of life. [*++] If any layman, whether good or bad, hears and believes the all-embracing Vow of Amida-Buddha, him will the Tathagata S'akyamuni praise for his wisdom, and will call him a lotus-flower among men.

41-48. For sentient creatures, who are heretical, evil, and proud, to believe and accept the practice of Amida's Fundamental Vow, is indeed a hard matter, there is nothing harder than this.

Abhidharma [* section] Doctors of Western India, noble

priests of China and Japan, have declared to us that the true meaning of the Great Saint's (S'akyamuni's) appearance was to point to the true Vow of Amida, and the Vow is just the way for us.

50-54. S'akyamuni the Tathagata, on the mountain peak in Lanka, [**] (in Ceylon), prophesied for the people assembled to hear him that there should appear in South India, a great teacher, Nagarjuna by name, who should destroy the conflicting views of Entity and Non-Entity, [*+] who should clearly teach the excellent law, of the Mahayana, who should reach the Class of Joy and be born in Paradise.