Shan-tao's Commentary on the Meditation Sutra wrote:The Buddha extends his great compassion toward those who are suffering most. Amida Buddha pities and cherishes especially those who are bound by delusion. Therefore he welcomes such people to his Pure Land. If he will not save one who is actually drowning, why should he save one who is relaxing on the river bank? (T. 1753, 37:248b; JZ. 2:6)
What is Mixed Practice?
Re: What is Mixed Practice?
That's not what Shan-tao's saying there. For Shan-tao the Nembutsu (Nianfo) was the most meritorious thing one could do. So the dedication of merit was referring to the merit from Nembutsu. Shan-tao was one of the first to actively use the term 凡夫 - fan-fu - bonbu - deluded person. It's integral to his interpretation of the 3 Minds, which forms the foundation of his entire doctrine.
Re: What is Mixed Practice?
More quotes from Shan-tao:
You will not find a demand for the precepts in Shan-tao's writings. Even the schools that follow his teachings and don't stress the precepts, still offer the precepts and recommend against pursuing evil. HOWEVER, it would be a mistake to think that the ability to follow precepts decides one's Pure Land birth.
Shan-Tao in the Commentary on the Meditation Sutra wrote:The first [aspect of the Profound Mind] is to firmly and deeply believe that, now, in this present body, one is an ordinary sinful being involved in transmigration who has for countless kalpas been always sunk in the stream of cyclic rebirth, unable to find the karmic conditions for escape.(JZ2.56)
Shan-Tao in the Commentary on the Meditation Sutra wrote:Sentient beings who recite the nembutsu are rid of the accumulated sins of many kalpas. When they are at the point of death, Amida Buddha together with the holy assembly will come in person to welcome them. Their evil karma cannot obstruct his coming. That is why this is called superior karmic relations.(SHZ. 588)
Other Chinese masters I'm not debating, as none of them save Yin-Kuang had even read anything by Shan-tao, because his teachings were lost to the Chinese canon for centuries. Even Yin-Kuang didn't encounter the works of Shan-tao until later in life, because they had not yet been re-imported from Japan & Korea until he was already well established.Shan-tao in the Hojisan wrote:"The Land of Ultimate Bliss, Nirvana, the Realm of Non-Action, Is difficult to reach for those who rely on miscellaneous good deeds performed according to different circumstances. Therefore the Buddha presents us with the choice of the Essential Way and teaches us to recite Amida's Name single-mindedly."
You will not find a demand for the precepts in Shan-tao's writings. Even the schools that follow his teachings and don't stress the precepts, still offer the precepts and recommend against pursuing evil. HOWEVER, it would be a mistake to think that the ability to follow precepts decides one's Pure Land birth.