According to the description of the Cheng Weishi lun shujij 成唯識論述記 of Ji基 （Kuiji 窺基） of the Chinese Faxiang school, and the Fodi jinglun 仏地経論 translated by Xuanzang, it is said that the existence of the Buddha’s original vow本願 allows sentient beings to hear the teachings of the Buddha. In this paper, we examine its interpretation based on the theory of vijñaptimātratā.
In the Fodi jinglun, it is said that sentient beings listen to the Buddha’s preaching because of the “strong connection” 強縁 of the Buddha’s original vow. In this era or earlier, Shandao 善導, the Chinese Pure Land patriarch, is the only one who refers to the Buddha’s vow as strong connection, except for the translation of Xuanzang. Therefore, it is possible that Shandao referred to the Fodi jinglun.
