May 31

May 31, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛度亡

Although we may learn the way to attain rebirth in the Land of Bliss through Amitabha-recitation only at the time near to the end of our life, Amitabha will respond immediately and come before us as long as we recite his name continuously. Every single recitation is eradicating our karmic offenses that lead to reincarnations within the cycle of birth-and-death, because it has the function of eradicating karmic offenses of birth-and-death.

雖然臨終才知道念佛求生，但只要念佛相續，彌陀便應聲來迎，所以每一念每一念，念念都在消除生死輪迴之罪，念念都有滅生死罪的功能。

Namo Amitabha!

May 30

May 30, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

During Amitabha-recitation, the Buddha-light of our body fills up the entire universe, because it is the light of Amitabha. How big, then, is the light of Amitabha? The Amitabha Sutra says, “For what reason, is that Buddha called 'Amitabha'? That Buddha's light shines boundlessly and without hindrance over all the worlds of the ten quarters.”

So, when we ordinary beings anticipate to commence reciting Amitabha’s name, our feeble mind will follow Amitabha’s light and become vast and boundless during recitation.

只要念佛，我們身上的佛光都是遍滿整個大宇宙的，因為這個光是彌陀的光，彌陀的光有多大呢？《阿彌陀經》說：「彼佛何故，號阿彌陀？彼佛光明無量，照十方國，無所障礙，故名阿彌陀。」所以我們一起心動念念南無阿彌陀佛，我們這麼一個凡夫微弱的心，就隨著這一句佛號的光明而廣大無邊了。

Namo Amitabha!

May 29

May 29, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法
(continued)

The so-called Mani pearl is an auspicious pearl that can bring about gold or sliver as you wish. Therefore, if you have two, one hundred, or two hundred Mani pearls, it will yield the same amount of gold or silver. You will not gain more if you have one pearl more; you will not lose anything if you have one less.

It is not to say, if you have two pearls, more will be brought about; if you have just one, less will be brought about. It is because Amitabha-recitation transcends the meditative and non-meditative practices; it also transcends the number of recitation (a few or a lot). Every single recitation suffices inconceivable, non-depictive and unnamed “unsurpassed merits and virtues”.

所謂「如意珠」，就是有一顆如意，你要吐黃金就是黃金，吐白銀就是白銀，你有兩顆如意、或是一百顆如意，或是兩百顆如意，多一顆並沒有增加，少一顆並沒有減少，因為只要有一顆，他就能夠吐了。

並不是說有兩顆就吐得多，一顆就吐得少。因為念佛本身是超越定善、散善，也超越多念、一念，每一念每一念都是具足不可稱、不可說、不可思議的無上功德的。

Namo Amitabha!

May 28

May 28, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

As we exclusively and single-mindedly recite Amitabha’s name, we gain unsurpassed merits and virtues regardless of the number of recitation. What does it mean by reciting a few or a lot? Our virtuous roots and aptitudes are different. Some people may recite more if they have more time; some people less. Some people recites for the same period of time, but the degree of intensity and exclusivity is different.

As far as merits and virtues are concerned, you get the same for a few or a lot of recitation. What matters are Amitabha’s merits and virtues, not our effort or proficiency in practicing. It is just like a Mani pearl (auspicious pearl), each pearl is auspicious.
(continued tomorrow)

只要我們專一念佛，多念少念都是無上功德。什麼叫多念少念呢？每一個人的根機不一樣，時間比較多的人就多念，有的人時間沒有那麼多就少念；有的人時間同樣的多，可是精進度不一樣，所以有的人多念，有的人少念，可是功德上來講都是一樣的。因為不是靠他的功夫，而是靠彌陀本身的功德。就好像「如意珠」，每一粒每一粒都是如意。

Namo Amitabha!

May 27

May 27, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報

A [bodhisattva] practitioner must take one eon (one great Asaṃkhyeyakalpa) to reach the state of the tenth dedication-transference, and then take another eon to proceed from the first ground to the seventh ground [of bodhisattva]. To continue, he has to take one more eon to reach to the tenth ground [of bodhisattva]. So, it takes “three great Asaṃkhyeyakalpa” in total. This is the process of general practice.

However, achievement of perfect Enlightenment in the Land of Bliss that constructed by Amitabha Buddha is different. It allows us to directly transcend various grounds of the ordinary path, and to practice the virtues of universal worthiness immediately upon rebirth in the Land of Bliss.

Practicing the virtues of universal worthiness means going out to the worlds in ten directions for deliverance of sentient beings. That is to say, upon rebirth in the Land of Bliss, we have directly transcended bodhisattva of the tenth ground and above, and become the bodhisattva of Equal Enlightenment, which is a state of Buddhahood.

Because there is only one Buddha in one world, we are not called buddhas but “bodhisattvas”.

行者必須要經過一大阿僧祇劫才到十迴向，再經過一大阿僧祇劫由初地到七地，接着另再經過一大阿僧祇劫由八地到十地，所以說「三大阿僧祇劫」，這是一般修習的過程。

但是阿彌陀佛建設的極樂世界所完成的正覺是不一樣的，是讓我們一到極樂世界就直接「超出常倫諸地」，而且當下就能「修習普賢之德」。

「修習普賢之德」就是到十方世界去救度眾生。也就是說，到極樂世界我們直接超越十地以上，進入等覺菩薩，就是佛的果位。但是因為一個淨土只有一尊佛，所以就不稱為佛，而稱為菩薩。

Namo Amitabha!

May 26

May 26, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

If you can accomplish the Four Kinds of Mindfulness, you will be able to liberate from the reincarnation within the Three Domains and the Six Realms. However, we are unlikely to acquire such accomplishment. As we are aware of the serious limitations of “self-power”, we hence rely entirely on the “other-power” [for liberation]. According to our teaching, relying on the “other-power” means to rely on the 18th Vow. As long as we rely on Amitabha’s vow power, our rebirth in the Land of Bliss is enabled.

It doesn’t matter whether we still have greed, hatred, illusion, false thoughts and miscellaneous thinking, or whether our virtuous conduct is sufficient or not. Don’t worry about that unnecessarily; just practice Amitabha-recitation exclusively and continuously.

能夠成就「四念處」，就能解脫三界六道生死輪迴，可是我們是不可能做到的。就因為自覺靠「自力」是無能為力的，所以才完全依靠「他力」；以我們的法門來說，依靠「他力」就是依靠第十八願，只要依靠彌陀的願力就能往生極樂世界。
不管是否有貪、瞋、癡、妄想雜念，不管其他的德行能不能具足，都不必掛慮，只要「一向專稱彌陀佛名」。

Namo Amitabha!

May 25

May 25, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

The targets of Amitabha’s deliverance are equal with no differentiation. There is nothing can be said as making differential treatment or not. The issue of differentiation emerges because of our sentient beings’ differences in aptitude and capacity, as well as our differences at the level of belief and acceptance.

阿彌陀佛救度的對象是平等而無差別的，無所謂一樣、不一樣；會有一樣、不一樣的問題，是因為我們眾生的根性，我們眾生的信受而有所不同。

Namo Amitabha!

May 24

May 24, 2017
慧淨上人法語
人生目的

The values of Buddhism are not weighted by the scale based on the external five desires, but by the scale based on the internal awareness of the great matters in regard of birth and death, and the deliverance of Amitabha Buddha.

佛教的價值觀不是以外在的五欲作標準，是以內在知不知道生死一大事、知不知道彌陀的救度這件事作標準來衡量的。

Namo Amitabha!

May 23

May 23, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛度亡

A family member that has just passed away, in every thought, wishes his surviving kin to contribute merits and virtues to him, so that he can get away from the darkness, fear and sufferings he is experiencing. Therefore, we have to offer them with vegetarian food, and do not kill living beings in seven sevens or 49 days. It is much better if the surviving kin can also stop eating meat and recite Amitabha’s name within these 49 days.

剛死去的親人，念念都希望陽世眷屬為他做功德，讓他遠離當下的黑暗、驚怖與痛苦，所以在七七四十九天內，都要用素食來祭拜，不可再殺生；甚至陽世眷屬在這七七四十九天最好都要吃素念佛。

Namo Amitabha

May 21

May 21, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

How do we sustain our practices in daily living? For the monastic, they have already renounced the mundane world and given up secular jobs in order to focus their mind in cultivation [of Buddhahood], so they should have more time to practice Amitabha-recitation. Apart from self-practicing and teaching others to practice according to this dharma school, their daily activity is nothing other than recitation of Amitabha’s name.

日常生活當中要如何行持呢？以出家人來說，本來就是捨棄紅塵、捨棄社會上的任何工作專心為修行而來，所以念佛的時間就比較多，除了以這個法門自行化他之外，就是稱名念佛。

Namo Amitabha!

May 20

May 20, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報

Longevity is the most basic desire of ordinary people who wish to have an immortal life, keep staying young, healthy and never get sick, or even better to have wisdom and blessings, wealth and nobility, and enjoyment of various kinds of provisions in abundance. All these desires will be satisfied, once we are reborn in the Land of Bliss.

Why? The Land of Bliss is a world that can fulfill all the wishes. Your lifespan is same as Amitabha’s, which is infinite. All the clothing, foods, and material goods are provided as you wish. It is said: celestial clothes appear instantly in response to our thoughts, and all delicious foods come automatically. All wishes are fulfilled.

一般人最根本的願就是壽命長久，希望能長壽不死、青春永駐、健康沒病，甚至能有智慧福德，能富有尊貴，能有種種豐饒的物質享受，這些林林總總的，一旦到了極樂世界沒有不滿足的。

為什麼？極樂世界是如意的世界，壽命固然與阿彌陀佛一樣是無量壽，衣食及所有一切物質也都是隨心所願，所謂「天衣應念至，玉食自然來」，一切如意。

Namo Amitabha!

May 19

May 19, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

The Buddha’s call is sent through the six-character name. Whenever we exclusively recite Amitabha’s name and aspire to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land, we can hear the call of Amitabha. In other words, Amitabha calls us by means of the six-character name. So, whenever we recite this six-character name, we are answering the call of Amitabha Buddha.

佛的呼喚就是在六字名號當中，只要我們專稱彌陀佛名，願生彌陀淨土，就能聽到彌陀的呼喚聲，亦即彌陀以六字名號來呼喚我們。所以，我們只要稱念這六字名號，就是跟阿彌陀佛互相呼應。

Namo Amitabha!

May 18

May 18, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

Amitabha’s deliverance is unconditional and non-discriminative at any time in any place, so that all people can be rescued and rendered the hope of rebirth under any circumstance. If we read and understand more about the accounts of this kind, we will have confidence [to attain rebirth], and feel at ease.

阿彌陀佛的救度是隨時、隨地的，而且不分對象、不講條件的，使所有的人隨時隨地都有獲救、往生的希望。有關這方面的事蹟如果多看，多瞭解，心中自然就會有信心、有安心。

Nami Amitabha!

May 17

May 17, 2017
慧淨上人法語
人生目的

In the Nirvana Sutra, the Buddha describes the difficulty about having a human body, and says, “To acquire a body in human form is like a pile of soil on my palms, but to lose the human body is like the soil on earth.” So, we know the chance is very little. Within a hundred years, the 6 billion people on Earth will eventually all die, and will certainly be reincarnated after death, but most of them are quite likely fall into the Three Wretched Realms.

Hence, the goal of life that shared among a great many people in the past and present is emancipation from the reincarnation of birth and death, so as to avoid the great “jeopardy” of falling into the Three Wretched Realms.

佛陀曾在《涅槃經》形容人身難得說：「得人身如掌中土，失人身如大地土」，可見機會是這麼微小。在百年之內，這個地球上六十億的人，終將全部死亡，死去以後一定還會再投胎轉世，但是往往墮落三惡道的比較多。

所以不管是古今中外，萬人共同的人生目的，就是要解脫生死輪迴，解決迫在眼前的這個將要墮落三惡道的這件大事。

Namo Amitabha!

May 16

May 16, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛度亡

If a person [exclusively] recites Amitabha’s name in his present life, and has the mind of aspiration to be reborn in the Land of Bliss, he will see Amitabha appearing at the time close to death; the Buddha will directly receive him for rebirth in the Land of Bliss, without going through the trial by Yama King [of the underworld]. For persons of great virtues, they will be reborn directly in the celestial realm, also without going through the trial by Yama King. A terribly evil person, however, will fall all the way down to hell.

For those who are not reborn in the Land of Bliss, or not a great virtuous person, a transitional body will be formed. In the next 49 days, they will be anxious, waiting for the trial that will determine their destination in the next life. So, during the 49 days before reincarnation, they ardently long for their relatives and dependents in the “yang” (or sunny, mundane) world to contribute meritorious virtues to them, so that they will be saved and relieved from sufferings.

一個人如果生前有念佛，並有願生極樂世界之心，臨終的時候就會看見彌陀現前，直接接引他到極樂世界，不必經過閻羅王的審判；大善的人也是直接上生天上，不用經過閻羅王的審判（如果是大惡就直接墮落地獄了）。

而那種沒有往生極樂世界，也沒大善的人，七七日內中陰身都在那裡徬徨、等候，大約到四十九天的時候就會判決而去投胎轉世。所以，在他尚未受生的七七日內，「念念之間」，也就是心中無時無刻地在殷切期盼陽世的親人眷屬能為他做功德，救拔他的苦難。 

Namo Amitabha!

May 15

May 15, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益
(continued)

Amitabha-reciters – not harmed by ghosts, and not summoned by the ten kings (in the hell realm)

Amitabha-reciters – body is shined by light in 40 “li” (about half kilometer), so that the demons don’t dare to attack

Amitabha-reciters – Amitabha Buddha always stays over his head, and protect him day and night; enemies cannot take any advantage; always stable and safe in present life, and natural in rebirth at the near end of life.

念佛人：鬼神不能害，十王不敢召。
念佛人：有四十里光明燭身，魔不能犯。
念佛人：阿彌陀佛，常住其頂，日夜擁護；不令冤家，而得其便；現世常得安穩，臨終任運往生。

Namo Amitabha!

May 14

May 14, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

Amitabha-recitation – simple and easy, round and sudden

Amitabha-recitation – the simplest in method, the fastest in effect, and the highest in merits

Amitabha-recitation – an easy approach with high successful rate; quickly taking effect with less effort.

Amitabha-recitation – having stability in present life, and attaining rebirth at the near end of our life. Not only self-benefitted, but also our family members.

Amitabha-recitation – the most expedient out of all expedient means, the most direct out of all directs ways, the simplest out of all simple practices, the easiest out of all easy-to-practice paths. All can practice, and all can realize.

(continued tomorrow)

念佛：簡易圓頓。
念佛：方法最簡，效果最快，功德最高。
念佛：下手易而成功高，用力少而得效速。
念佛：既獲現世安穩，亦得臨終往生；不但自己蒙福，亦使家人受惠。

念佛：方便中的方便，直接中的直接，簡單中的最簡單，易行中的最易行。人人可行，人人可證。

Namo Amitabha!

May 13

May 13, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

Having false thoughts during Amitabha-recitation is normal and natural; it is totally not related to our rebirth.

念佛而有妄想這個是正常的、自然的，跟我們的往生是風馬牛不相及的。

Namo Amitabha!

May 8

May 8, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

Exclusively reciting Amitabha’s name and aspiring to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land is equal to walking along the White Path over the Two Rivers.

專稱彌陀佛名，願生彌陀淨土，即是走上二河白道。

Namo Amitabha!

May 7

May 7, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

All sentient beings are subjects of Amitabha’s deliverance. Amitabha does not scrutinize them in advance; he will deliver them no matter what circumstance they are in, because he knows us sentient beings very well: we are vigorous in afflictions, heavy in karmic offenses, and tightly tied by the rope of karma.

As long as we are mindful of Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha Buddha will reveal himself immediately in our mind. Amitabha’s splendid body light, as well as his functional threefold body, fourfold wisdom, tenfold power, and fourfold fearlessness will be manifested in our body and mind at once.

所有眾生都是彌陀要救度的對象，彌陀所要救度的眾生是沒有先特別遴選的，是不論任何情狀的眾生他都救度的，因為阿彌陀佛曉得我們眾生都是煩惱強盛，業障深重，被業力的繩子所緊緊捆住。

只要我們起心動念憶念阿彌陀佛，阿彌陀佛立刻就在我們的心中顯現，阿彌陀佛的相好光明，以及三身四智十力四無畏，這些佛的功能當下就在我們的身心顯露。

Namo Amitabha!

May 6

May 6, 2017
慧淨上人法語
人生目的

There are various kinds of affliction and fear in our life; and all these afflictions and fears stem from one causal root. If this root vanishes, all of such afflictions and fears will disappear. If the root exists, new afflictions and fears will keep popping up even the other afflictions and fears are extinguished.

What is this causal root? It is samsara—reincarnation of birth and death. Reincarnation of birth and death is the greatest fear in life and also the source of all kinds of fear. Given this situation, Amitabha Buddha says, “Let me be responsible for your reincarnation of birth and death; I will let you mind feel absolutely relieved with great satisfaction.

So, all the benefits [of Amitabha-recitation] are subsidiary, except one—to be reborn in the Land of Bliss, the only benefit that is ultimate, and also unique. 

人生在世，有種種的煩惱、恐懼，但是這一些煩惱、恐懼都有一個根，它們是從這個根產生出來的；這個根若沒有了，所有的煩惱、恐懼都會消失；如果這個根存在，即使其他的煩惱、恐懼都消除了，依然還會冒出新的煩惱、恐懼出來。
這個根是什麼？就是生死輪迴。生死輪迴是人生最大的恐懼，是一切恐懼的根源；然而，阿彌陀佛說，你的生死輪迴，我來負責，我讓你的心能絕對的大安心、大滿足。

所以，所有的利益都是附帶的，唯有能夠往生極樂世界，這個利益才是究竟的，而且是獨一無二的。

Namo Amitabha!

May 5

May 5, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛度亡

Life is suffering. Death is NOT the end of everything because there is another life.  We just move from one realm of sufferings to another, from the ignorance of this life to another ignorance without end. We suffer forever from the cycle of painful reincarnation (samsara).

Hence, we don’t need to wait for our last day of death, in which people come to assist us in the deliverance by Amitabha-recitation. We can help ourselves to get prepared right now. Our rebirth in the Land of Bliss is prepared by Amitabha Buddha in advance. He proactively offers rebirth to us, and asks us to accept [the offer]. So, we can make preparation beforehand.

We don’t need to burn the golden and silver paper money [according to the folklore]. It is not necessary because recitation of Amitabha’s name suffices for all.

人生很苦，死了並非一了百了，還有下輩子，只是從這個苦境進入另一個苦，從今生今世的迷，又進入另一個無窮盡的迷，那就永遠都在痛苦輪迴當中！

所以我們不必等死亡那一天，才讓別人為我們助念超度，現在我們就可以親自為自己準備。往生極樂世界，是阿彌陀佛預先為我們準備好，主動來送給我們，而且要求我們要接受！所以大家可以事先準備的。

至於燒金銀紙錢，可以不用燒。因為念一聲佛號，就一切都具足了。

Namo Amitabha!

May 4

May 4, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益
(continued)

Nevertheless, no matter they are demons of the enemies and debtors, or demons in the wretched deity and ghost realms, even demons of the heaven, once we recite Amitabha’s name single-mindedly, our body will emit light, of which one of the benefits is to protect us against demons’ attack. They cannot interfere, obstruct, and disturb us.

So, it is impossible for an Amitabha-reciter to be disturbed and interfered by external demons, but demons from our own mind, which is the most terrible. Demons of the mind are referred to incorrect knowledge and views, or demons of afflictions. If we are emotional and irrational in all matters, we will then obstruct ourselves.

但是，不管是冤家債主之魔，或者是惡神惡鬼之魔，乃至天魔，只要專一念佛的話，身上就會放光，而放光的好處是「魔不能犯」，不能來干擾、來障礙、來攪亂。

所以，念佛人不可能有外魔來攪亂、來干擾；最怕的就是心魔，也就是知見不正確，或者是煩惱魔，凡事情緒用事、沒有理性，這樣的話，就會障礙自己。

Namo Amitabha!

May 3

May 3, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

There is a saying: It is better not to be enlightened even a thousand years is elapsed, but not to attach to a demon at a moment. In studying Buddhism, cultivating and pursuing the Way, the worst thing is to attach to a demon. There are two kinds of demons, one is internal and the other is external.
Internal demon refers to the demon of affliction, also known as the ‘mind demon’. It is said that demons arise from our mind, and they develop in the human realm; if our mind is correct with sincerity, all kinds of demons cannot intrude and attack us.

If a practitioner has no correct knowledge and correct view, but seeks mysterious response, he will be easily attach an external demon. An external demon refers to our enemies and debtors. Among these, the most powerful one is the demon in the Sixth Heaven of the Desired Celestial Realm.
(continued tomorrow)

有一句話說：「寧可千年不悟，不可一時著魔。」所以，學佛、修行、向道，最怕的就是著魔。「魔」有內魔、外魔二種。

「內魔」就是所謂的煩惱魔，也就是心魔。有句話說：「魔由心生，妖從人興；正心誠意，百邪不侵。」

修行人若內心沒有正知正見、追求靈異感應的話，往往會引起外魔。所謂「外魔」，包括我們的冤家債主，最厲害的就是欲界第六天的天魔。

Namo Amitabha!

May 2

May 2, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法
(continued)

It is easy because we have a mouth and know how to speak. The only thing is that from now on we start to say, “Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo…” We ordinary human beings always have ideas come up from the mind, and from now on let’s start to think and commence thinking “Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo...” This is simply to turn it around. As long as you have such an intention, you can recite within your capacity, and your time available. Just like that is all right.

因為我們都有嘴會說話，只不過現在起開始說 「南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛……」；我們凡夫都會起心動念，現在開始起心念「南無阿彌陀佛」，動念念「南無阿彌陀佛……」，只不過把它轉過來而已。只要有這個心，隨你的能力去念佛，有時間就儘量念佛，這樣就可以了。 

Namo Amitabha!

May 1

May 1, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

Is there any difficulty in Amitabha-recitation? No, not at all! There is no requirement for our proficiency up to single-pointedness and concentration. For sentient beings in the ten directions like us, recite according to our present aptitude is the only concern. If you are monastic, recite as a monastic; if you are a householder, recite as a householder. Whether you are a man or woman, wise or unwise, knowledgeable or not, pure in mind or not, just recite this name “Namo Amituofo” with your own aptitude and mood. Nothing is required other than that. Isn’t it simple and easy?
(continued tomorrow)

念佛有困難嗎？念佛沒有困難啊！也沒有要求我們功夫上的一心不亂，只要求依我們十方眾生的根機去念佛。你如果出家就出家念佛，在家就在家念佛；是男，是女；有智慧，沒有智慧；有學問，沒有學問；心清淨，心不清淨，都依你的根性、你的心境去念這句「南無阿彌陀佛」，除此之外，沒有半點要求，這樣不是很容易嗎？

Namo Amitabha!