Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
185. An Interpretation of the Four-Line Verse: “The Dharma Assembly of Amitabha’s Deliverance Opens” (2 / 6)
1. “The Dharma Assembly of Amitabha’s Deliverance Opens”
The Compassionate Vow-Power of Amitabha Buddha
The term “Dharma assembly” originally refers to a large gathering where the Buddha expounds the Dharma. Here, it symbolizes the gate of Amitabha’s deliverance , opened wide like an inexhaustible banquet, welcoming beings from all ten directions and excluding no one.
When Amitabha Buddha was still the monk Dharmakara, he formulated his Forty-Eight Great Vows. Among them, the Eighteenth Vow—the Vow of Rebirth through the exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha — is the most fundamental:
“If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the ten directions who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me , aspire to be born in my land, and exclusively recite Namo Amitabha Buddha as few as ten times are not born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.”
As long as beings entrust themselves to Amitabha Buddha and exclusively recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, they will certainly be received and guided to rebirth, with none omitted.
Thus, the phrase “the Dharma assembly opens” signifies:
1. Complete Reliance on Amitabha’s Power
One relies entirely upon Amitabha’s vow-power for liberation, rather than upon one's own spiritual attainments or practices.
2. Universal and Equal Embrace
Whether noble or humble, wise or foolish, virtuous or sinful, all who aspire to be born in the Pure Land can attain rebirth.
(to be continued tomorrow)
185 「彌陀救度法筵開」四句偈解讀 (2/6)
一、「彌陀救度法筵開」—— 阿彌陀佛的慈悲願力
「法筵」原指佛陀說法的盛會，此處比喻彌陀救度之門，如無盡盛宴，普開 十方，不拒一人。阿彌陀佛因地為法藏比丘時，發四十八大願，其中以第十八 願「念佛往生願」最為根本：「設我得佛，十方眾生，至心信樂，欲生我國，乃至 十念，若不生者，不取正覺。」
只要眾生信佛念佛，便必得接引，無一遺漏。因此，「法筵開」表徵：
1.全憑佛力：徹底仰仗彌陀願力救度，不依自力修行功夫。
2.平等普攝：無論貴賤、智愚、善惡，只要願生淨土，皆得往生。
Namo Amituofo!
