Aug 31 2017

Aug 31, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

There are three kinds of Amitabha-recitation – Amitabha-recitation by self-power, combined power of oneself and the Buddha, commonly known as Amitabha-recitation by dual-power, and Amitabha-recitation by pristine other-power.

Amitabha-recitation by self-power – treating “Namo Amitabha” same as other virtues, and putting “Namo Amitabha” on an equal footing with other meritorious virtues like pilgrimage, repentance service, giving, holding precepts, forgiveness, vigor, meditation and wisdom, or with filial piety to parents, attending on teachers and seniors, and cultivating virtuous practices. They recite Amitabha’s name with such a kind of mentality and perform other virtuous deeds as well, and then dedicate them for rebirth in the Land of Bliss.

Because they do not understand that the great name represents a myriad of virtues, they underestimate the value of this Buddha’s name, and equate it to values of other meritorious virtues. With this attitude, a person recites Amitabha’s name while performing other virtuous practices. This is called Amitabha-recitation by self-power.

(continued tomorrow)

稱名念佛有三種：一種是自力的念佛；一種是自他力，也就是一般講的二力的念佛；另外一種就是純粹他力的念佛。

自力的念佛，就是將「南無阿彌陀佛」與其他善事作同等的看待，認為這句「南無阿彌陀佛」跟朝山、拜懺，以及布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、禪定、智慧，或孝順父母、奉侍師長、修習善業的這些功德，是齊等的，抱著這樣的觀念念佛，並兼做其他善事，然後迴向極樂世界。

由於不了解佛號是萬德洪名，而將這句佛號的價值， 跟其他功德的價值同等看待，抱持這種心態，一面念佛一面修其他功德來迴向，這叫「自力念佛」。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 30

Aug 30, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報
(continued)

Although (the Land of Bliss) has forms and shapes, it is equivalent to the formless and shapeless realm of nirvana, which is pure, serene, unchanged, and not contaminated. It is said to be “next to the way of unconditioned nirvana”. So, the pure adornments of the Land of Bliss cannot be imagined and perceived.

The Sutras said that the ground of the Land of Bliss is covered with gold and the pavilions are made of seven kinds of jewels. Although described like that, it is in fact a makeshift presentation for comprehension by ordinary beings. The true landscapes can only be understood correctly when we are reborn there.

雖然是有相狀，可是等同涅槃無相狀那樣的清淨、安穩、不變動、沒有污染，因此說「次於無為，涅槃之道」。所以極樂世界的清淨莊嚴根本是不能想像的。

經典說極樂世界黃金鋪地、七寶樓閣，雖然這樣的述說、形容，但這其實是以我們凡夫可以理解的來講，真正的景象必須等我們到了之後才能正確的了解。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 29

Aug 29, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報

Although the Land of Bliss is a circumstantial reward, it is equivalent to the realm of nirvana in the direct reward. What is the realm of nirvana in direct reward? It is not produced and will not extinct; it has no beginning and no ending; it is original in permanent existence, and not created artificially. The Land of Bliss, however, has beginning, but no ending. It is because the Pure Land was accomplished by the infinite vows and infinite practices of Amitabha Buddha in his causal ground. So, it is not in stillness and formless. Rather, it has forms and shapes.

(continued tomorrow)

極樂國土雖然是依報，可是等同正報的涅槃境界，正報的涅槃境界是什麼呢？就是不生不滅、無始無終、本來常住，不經過造作的。可是極樂世界是有始無終，是由於阿彌陀佛因地的無量願無量行所成就的，並不是空寂無相，而是有相狀的淨土。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 28

Aug 28, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

A true reciting is not merely recite by mouth, but recite by body. To recite by body means to remember Amitabha, to think of Amitabha, which is to apply the teachings into practice. The purpose of the teachings in Buddhist scriptures is to facilitate readers to practice accordingly.

Reciting sutras certainly has merits and virtues; but the original purpose of the sutras is not merely for reading. It is rather, through reading, facilitate readers to understand the teachings, and subsequently observe and practice the teachings accordingly.

Hence, once we have read the three Pure Land sutras, we can put them aside and then recite the Name single-mindedly and exclusively. Just like Master Honen in his old age, he no longer recites the sutras—not even a single one, but focuses on the practice of Amitabha-recitation. He only recites “Namo Amituofo” exclusively. That’s an example of becoming more and more focused.

真正的讀誦，不是只用口去讀誦，而是用身體去讀誦，身體去讀誦就是憶佛、念佛，也就是去實踐它。因為經文講教理之用意，是要讓人依教理去實行。

所以，誦經固然有其功德，但是經的本身目的，不是只要人家去誦，而是要人家通過讀誦之後，了解它的教理，然後依教奉行去實踐。

因此，我們讀誦淨土三部經之後，淨土三部經就可以擱在一邊，然後專一去念這句名號。就像法然上人，到了年老的時候就一部也不誦，就只專一念佛，他都是專念「南無阿彌陀佛」！這個就是越來越專了。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 27

Aug 27, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

A person who believes and accepts Amitabha’s deliverance, of course, has confidence in and reverent respect to Amitabha Buddha. He acts according to a good conscience and is ashamed of his misconduct. Besides, he also cherishes a loving heart and is forgiving to others. Why? It is because he realizes the love and kindness of Amitabha Buddha, as well as the forgiveness of Amitabha Buddha to him. When he realizes the great love of Amitabha Buddha, he is ashamed and confesses that he is an iniquitous person, so he becomes self-conscientious and self-regretted. Once there is a fault in his speech or action, his conscience will smote him, and his self-reflection will be more seriously than ever before.

信受彌陀救度的人，他當然是對彌陀有信心、有恭敬心，對自己有良心、有慚愧心，對別人有愛心、有包容心。為什麼？因為他體會到阿彌陀佛對他的愛心，體會到阿彌陀佛對他的包容心。當他體會到阿彌陀佛的大愛的時候，就慚愧自己是一個罪惡的人，因此對自己有良心、有慚愧心，一旦有什麼言語行為上的過失，立刻會受自己良心的譴責，反省比以前更加深刻。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 26

Aug 26, 2017
慧淨上人法語
人生目的

Don’t worry about you cannot attain Buddhahood; don’t worry about you cannot deliver sentient beings; do worry about you cannot be reborn in the Land of Bliss. Once reborn in the Land of Bliss, you must become a Buddha, and must be able to deliver sentient beings. So, the goal of our life is to be reborn in the Land of Bliss.

Some people study Buddhism as a kind of philosophy or knowledge, and do not tie it up with the matter of our birth-and-death. That means, they don’t consider about liberation from the cycle of reincarnations. To us, however, the goal is very clear and determined: the goal of our life, the goal of studying Buddhism, and the goal of practice is rebirth in the Land of Bliss.

不怕不成佛，不怕不會度眾生；就怕不能往生極樂，一旦往生極樂，一定成佛，一定會廣度眾生。所以我們人生的目的就是往生極樂，我們學佛的目的就是往生極樂。

有的人把佛法當做一種哲學、學問來研究，沒有將佛法與生死大事結合，也就是沒有想要脫離輪迴，可是我們有非常明確、堅確不移的這個目的：人生的目的、學佛的目的、修行的目的，就是往生極樂！

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 25

Aug 25, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛度亡

Rebirth in the Land of Bliss is natural for a person who aspires to be reborn there and exclusively recites Amitabha’s name. It is because such a cause leads to such an effect. However, for persons who do not always recite Amitabha’s name, he must be very cautious and pay grave attention to the event of end-of-life. There is a saying, “One thought at the time approaching to the end-of-life is more important than cultivation over a hundred years”.

So, facing the end of our life, don’t fall into a panic or attach (to this saha world); do    invoke Amitabha Buddha. After your rebirth in the Land of Bliss, you can come back and deliver your family members. Once they’re reborn in the Pure Land, you will enjoy reunion with them forever.

Either reciting Amitabha’s name until the end of life, or reciting Amitabha’s name at the end of life, we will be received by Amitabha Buddha and a multitude of sagely beings, without being invited. This cannot be hindered by any kind of karmic obstructions.

一個願生極樂，專稱佛名的念佛人，往生極樂世界是自然的事，因為如是因，如是果。可是一般沒有念佛的人，對於臨終這件事就要非常的審慎與重視。 有句話說：「臨終一念，勝過百年修行之功。」

所以面臨死亡，不要驚慌恐懼，不要留戀不捨，應念彌陀，往生極樂世界之後，再來救度家人，同生淨土，永遠團聚。

念佛臨終，或臨終念佛，佛與聖眾，不請自來，接引往生，任何業障，無能障礙。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 24

Aug 24, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

Amitabha-recitation should be practiced, like ‘without forsaking’, as said by Master Shandao. Whenever, wherever and whatever we do, we must invoke to recite Amitabha’s name. For every recitation, it is rewarded with merits and virtues, so it is not useless.

Attention is not required in the practice of Amitabha-recitation. It is not necessary to arrange a particular period of time for the practice of Amitabha-recitation either. If we always recollect the name of ‘Namo Amituofo’ and pop it up in our mind, false and miscellaneous thought will be less. Sufferings from afflictions will be mitigated. Our body and mind is relaxed naturally, so our body will be suffered from illness or depression. Amitabha-recitation benefits us all without any harm, only good and nothing bad.

念佛要像善導大師所說的「念念不捨」，不管什麼時間、地點，或正在做什麼事，都要念佛，念一句有一句的功德，決不會白費。

念佛不但不必費精神，也不需要花特別的時間。如果起心動念都是這句「南無阿彌陀佛」，妄想雜念會減少，煩惱也會減輕，身心自然就會輕安，身心輕安，身體就比較沒有病苦或憂愁。所以念佛有百利而無一害，只有好處沒有壞處。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 23

Aug 23, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

It is normal that we have many false and miscellaneous thoughts fluttering about in our mind when we try to focus on Amitabha-recitation. As we are ordinary beings, we are full of afflictions. Our vexations will stir up false and miscellaneous thoughts, which is actually the substance (noumenon) of the mind of ordinary beings.

This substance exists in our daily mental activities, which results in false and miscellaneous thoughts that we may not notice. Only when we recite Amitabha’s name, particularly in an upright sitting position and in a state of calm mind, we then can see our original appearance—many false and miscellaneous thoughts flutter about in our mind.

During Amitabha-recitation, if we have false thoughts – thinking of something that we should not think, or conceiving ideas that should not conceive, don’t worry or be vexed. That kind of sentient beings is exactly what Amitabha Buddha vows to deliver.

如果覺得越想專一念佛，反而越是雜念紛飛、妄想起伏，這其實是正常的現象，因為我們是凡夫就是煩惱具足，既有煩惱，就有妄想、雜念。這妄想雜念就是凡夫心的本體。

這本體就在我們日常的起心動念中；我們的起心動念就是妄想雜念，只是自己沒察覺；在念佛的時候，尤其是端坐靜心來念佛時，才看到我們凡夫的本來面目，就是煩惱妄想，雜念紛飛。

我們念佛，如果有妄念──不該想的也想，不該起的念頭也起，這時不要顧慮、不要煩惱，阿彌陀佛發願救度的，就是這樣的眾生。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 22

Aug 22, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報

The precious characteristic of Mahayana Buddhism is that we pursue not just emancipation of ourselves, but also deliverance of other sentient beings. All these ability and power are sufficiently included in Amitabha’s vows. So, once reborn in the Land of Bliss, we will possess the same wisdom, paranormal powers, and vow power as the Buddha’s, and will go to the worlds of ten directions and deliver sentient beings there. Thus, Master Tanluan highlights the 22nd Vow, and says, “[Such bodhisattvas] transcend the course of practice of the ordinary bodhisattvas, manifest the practices of all the bodhisattva stages, and cultivate the universally-worthy virtues”.

That is to say, cultivation in the Land of Bliss transcends the gradual course of practice of the ordinary bodhisattvas, and practitioners do not need to advance from the first ground to the second and third, and then to the eighth, ninth and tenth ground. So, the Pure Land school is a teaching of “lateral transcendence”. Once reborn in the Land of Bliss, one will directly achieve the Bodhisattva State of Equal Enlightenment.

大乘法門的可貴在於不只求自己解脫，還要救度眾生，這些功能，在佛的願裏面也都具足，所以到了極樂世界，就能夠有佛的智慧，佛的神通，佛的願力，能到十方世界去救度十方眾生。因此曇鸞大師最後就舉出第二十二願，第二十二願就說：「超出常倫諸地之行，現前修習普賢之德。」

也就是說，極樂世界是超出一般修證次第，不需要從初地到二地、二地到三地、一直到八地、九地、十地，所以淨土法門是橫超的法門，到了極樂世界就直接到達等覺的地位。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 21

Aug 21, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

The karma of assurance is spoken on the side of the Buddha, but it can also interpreted on the side of sentient beings. On the Buddha’s side, name-recitation, not any other kinds of practices and teachings, is chosen by Amitabha Buddha to be the main cause of rebirth. So, it is the “chosen” karma of assurance.

On our side, by merely reciting Amitabha’s name, we are in response to Amitabha’s 18th vow and following the instruction stated therein; we are also assured of rebirth. So, it is the “determinant” karma of assurance.

「正定業」有從佛那邊來講，也有從我們眾生這邊來講。從阿彌陀佛那邊來講，是阿彌陀佛選擇念佛作為往生的正因，而不選擇念佛以外的種種法、種種行門，所以是阿彌陀佛「正選定之業」。

從我們這邊來講， 我們只要稱名念佛，就是隨順、契應了阿彌陀佛的第十八願，就決定能夠往生，所以就我們來講是「正決定之業」。

Namo Amitabha

Aug 20

Aug 20, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

So long as you recite Amitabha’s name all the time, each and every recitation is aspiration as well as dedication for rebirth.  So, every name recitation reveals the merits and virtues Amitabha dedicates to us, and calls on us to allow his deliverance. Each recitation also reveals that we believe, follow and obey Amitabha’s deliverance, receive his merits and virtues, and aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss. So, every recitation is an expression of this kind of mindset. It says, “By one recitation, we respond to the Buddha once; by many recitations, we respond to the Buddha many times”.

你只要時時刻刻稱名，念念之中都是在發願，都在迴向。所以，每句名號裏面，都是在流露彌陀迴向給我們的功德，呼喚我們讓他救度，也都是在流露自己隨順、信順彌陀的救度，領受他的功德，願往生極樂世界。所以，聲聲名號都是在表達這種心，所以說「一念相應一念佛，念念相應念念佛」。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 19

Aug 19, 2017
慧淨上人法語
人生目的

(continued)

While the goal is so lofty, and the retributive reward is so splendid, the method is just so plain and ordinary, not peculiar and difficult, for which mundane people easily contempt. Why is that? Mainly because they do not understand that Amitabha-recitation in the Pure Land school is backed up by the vow and practice of Amitabha Buddha.

In conclusion, the goal of our life and the purpose of our studying Buddhism are clearly laid down, just like the flag hoisted up in the sky, which can be seen by people in different directions. This is the goal – rebirth in the Land of Bliss, and the method – exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s name.

目標是那麼崇高，果報境界是那麼殊勝，方法卻是這樣的平淡、平凡，毫不奇特艱難，甚至多被世人輕視，為什麼會這樣呢？這是因為他們不明白，淨土念佛一門之背後有阿彌陀佛的願與行。

從結論上來講，我們人生的目標、學佛的目的，都很明朗確定，就像旗子鮮明掛在高空中，四面八方的人抬起頭就看得到：這就是目標──「往生極樂世界」，方法──「專稱彌陀名號」。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 18

Aug 18, 2017
慧淨上人法語
人生目的

Rebirth in the Land of Bliss means not only liberation from reincarnation within the Six Realms, but also having the same infinite lifespan and infinite light of Amitabha Buddha, as well as full possession of merits and virtues of the 48 vows. So, rebirth in the Land of Bliss is the goal of our life, and also the most noble and supreme goal among the 84,000 Buddhist teachings. This can be considered as the crystallization of the Buddhist teachings, and the final and ultimate practice of all schools. The method of rebirth, however, is so simple and easy – anyone can make it by merely reciting “Namo Amituofo”.

(continued tomorrow)

往生極樂不只是永遠脫離了六道輪迴，且能擁有與阿彌陀佛相同的無量壽命、無量光明，具足四十八大願的功德。所以，往生極樂是人生目的，也是佛教八萬四千法門中最崇高的目標；可說是佛法的結晶、所有行法的歸宗結頂。而往生的方法又很簡易，只要稱念「南無阿彌陀佛」就可以了。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 17

Aug 17, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛度亡

From birth till death, human beings on earth have little good deeds but tons of evil deeds. So, after death, most of them fall into the wretched realm and suffered; only a few of them are reborn in the wholesome realms and enjoy happiness. Anyhow, no matter which path, they are still hanging around along the wheel of reincarnations within the Six Realms. “From heaven, born in hell; from hell, born in heaven”, just as the Buddha said in the Sutra of Mindfulness in Right Dharma.

In addition, the Nirvana Sutra says, “Although regaining a body in the Braham Heaven, or even in the highest rank of heaven, one will eventually fall into the Three Wretched Realms at the end-of-life.” Thus, to a person who is uncertain whether he will be rebornin the Pure Land, he should, at least, grasp the last opportunity near to the end-of-life. We should reveal to him the teaching of Amitabha’s deliverance, assist him to recite Amitabha’s name, so that his intelligent spirit can be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land,where he can relieve the sufferings from reincarnations forever, and enjoy the realization of nirvana.

人生在世，惡多善少，是故死後，投生惡道受苦 者多，投生善道受樂者少；但不論善道惡道，皆仍在六道輪迴中。如佛於《正法念處經》說：「從天生地獄，從地獄生天。」
又於《涅槃經》言：「雖復得受梵天之身，乃至非想非非想天，命終還墮三惡道中。」因此，凡往生淨土不定之人，至少應把握其臨終時機，為他開示彌陀救度，助念彌陀佛名，使其神識往生彌陀淨土， 永離輪迴之苦，徹證涅槃之樂。
Namo Amitabha!

Aug 16

Aug 16, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

The Buddha’s Name contains Amitabha’s great compassion, great vow power, and great meritorious virtues. This Name is alive and active, as it has the Buddha’s eyes, ear, and conscience. So, when we recite his Name, Amitabha Buddha can hear it immediately and, in response, appears to protect us, to clear all our karmic obstructions, and to increase our merits and virtues.

佛號有阿彌陀佛的大慈悲、大願力、大功德在裡面，這句佛號是活靈靈、活跳跳，有佛的眼睛、耳朵、心肝，所以我們念這句佛號，阿彌陀佛即時就會聽到，應聲而現，保護我們，消除我們的業障，增加我們的功德。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 15

Aug 15, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

No matter we recite aloud, in low voice, in moving lips (known as “diamond” recitation), or by heart, Amitabha can definitely hear it, because Amitabha is a Buddha who has all the six paranormal powers. No matter we recite with a pure mind or a distracted mind, recite sincerely or absentmindedly, Amitabha Buddha can hear it right the way. In fact, even before we move our lips, Amitabha Buddha already knows our intention when it springs up.

Our mind is similar to a “transceiver”. When we have a thought in mind, or a manner of speaking, it will disperse to the entire universe. When we fix our mind and enter into a meditative state, we can receive mind waves of any frequency from the universe. Even ordinary beings can do it, why not Amitabha Buddha, the king of all buddhas?

我們念佛，不管大聲念、小聲念、金剛念、或者心中默念，阿彌陀佛一定都聽到，因為阿彌陀佛是佛，六通具足。不管我們念佛的當下是以清淨心念或是以散亂心念，是有心念或是無心念，阿彌陀佛也都聽到。其實我們還沒張口，當起這個心念的時候，阿彌陀佛就知道了。

人心如同「收發器」，起心動念、言語舉止都自然的散發出去，繞遍全宇宙；而當我們息慮凝心，進入靜定之時，就能接收到太虛中任何頻率的心波；凡夫尚且如此，何況諸佛之王的阿彌陀佛。 

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 14

Aug 14, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報
(continued)

Among all kinds of realms, the greatest source of happiness is in Buddha’s realm, which is the eternal bliss and the joy of nirvana. Once reborn, we will enjoy all kinds of happiness that we can imagine and that we can realize. This is called a reward land. So, it is not required to go through various levels and grades. If such a process is required, that means he has to rely on dedication [of merits and virtues cultivated] by himself (“self-power”), and not on reciting Amiatbha’s name in accordance with his Fundamental Vow.

所有境界中，最樂的就是佛的樂，就是大樂，就是涅槃之樂，我們只要往生，這一些你所能想到的樂通通能夠擁有，通通能夠證得，這個叫做「報土」。所以是不經過品位階級的，如果還經過品位階級的話，表示他不是依本願之稱名，而是靠自力之迴向。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 13

Aug 13, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報

The Land of Bliss is a reward land, which implies that there has no level or class, and [once reborn there] you don’t need to go through various stages of the Ten Dwellings, the Ten Practices, the Ten Transferences, and the Ten Grounds. You don’t go through these.

The Amitabha Sutra says, “Why is that land called the Land of Bliss? The beings in that land suffer no pain but only enjoy pleasures of various kinds. For this reason, that land is called the Land of Bliss.” No matter how many kinds of sufferings that you know, none of them exists in the Land of Bliss. No matter how many kinds of happiness that you know, all of them exist in the Land of Bliss.

The sufferings that we know are those in the uninterrupted hells, flooding of greedy mind, fire of hatred, and reincarnations in the Three Domains and the Six Realms. All these have no existence in the Land of Bliss, not even the “suffering” that a junior sage may have when he is longing for the achievements attained by the seniors. In comparison with our sufferings from reincarnations, it is not really suffering. Anyhow, that is still a kind of “unattainable” expectation, which is transcended in the Land of Bliss too. Hence, the Sutra says, “Suffer no pain but only enjoy pleasures of various kinds”.
(continued tomorrow)

極樂世界是「報土」，所謂「報土」就是沒有品位階級，不經過十住的階位、十行的階位、十迴向的階位、十地的階位，是不經過這一些的。
《阿彌陀經》就說：「彼土何故，名為極樂？其國眾生，無有眾苦，但受諸樂，故名極樂。」不論你所知道的苦有多少種，在極樂世界通通沒有；不論你所知道的樂有各種什麼喜樂，極樂世界通通都有。
我們所知道的苦就是無間地獄的苦，貪心之水的苦，瞋憎之火的苦，三界六道輪迴的苦，這些極樂世界都沒有。甚至證悟低的聖者，往上看證悟高的聖者的那一種期盼擁有的苦也沒有。這種苦跟我們輪迴的苦相比當然不算苦，可是仍是有一種求不得的期盼在，在極樂世界包括這些都是超越的，所以說「無有眾苦，但受諸樂」。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 12

Aug 12, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名
(continued)

If a person occupied with nothing can recite 30,000 times per day, he will leave no room for practicing other teachings. For a busy person, he can stick to one single practice because he has little spare time, not even able to recite 30,000 times.  

If one persists in this way, the three states of mind (i.e. the sincere mind, joyful entrustment, and aspiration for rebirth as mentioned in the 18th Vow, or the sincere mind, the deep mind, and the mind of dedication and aspiration as explained in the Contemplation Sutra), the Fourfold Cultivation (respectful practice, unmixed practice, uninterrupted practice, sustained practice), and the Five Kinds of Invocation (the Five Primary Practices) are consolidated into one Name – Namo Amituofo. All are referred to single-minded and exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s name.

無事之人如果能夠日念三萬以上就沒有時間修其他法門了；即使多忙之人也可以守專一之行，因為他再也沒有其他時間，每日念三萬都來不及了。

能夠這樣的話，三心（第十八願的「至心、信樂、欲生」，也是《觀無量壽經》所講的「至誠心、深心、迴向發願心」）、四修（恭敬修、無餘修、無間修、長時修）、五念（五正行）都是一句南無阿彌陀佛，皆是一向專稱彌陀佛名。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 11

Aug 11, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

The 18th Vow stated in the Infinite Life Sutra mentions only Amitabha-recitation and no other teachings. In the Circulation Section of the Contemplation Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha only tells us to hold on to the Name and no other practices. Talking about the main cause of rebirth, the Small Sutra also holds up only the Name and no other practices. So, all three Pure Land sutras consistently talk about the single practice of Amitabha-recitation, and not any other miscellaneous practices and teachings.

For the sake of preventing us from practicing miscellaneous teachings, Master Shandao tells us to hold firmly the exclusive practice in one teaching as told in the three Pure Land sutras, and therefore says that those who recite Amitabha’s name 30,000 times a day belong to the class at the highest level in the high tier.

(continued)
《無量壽經》「第十八願」只有說念佛沒有說其他的法門。《觀無量壽經》的「流通分」也唯有付囑持名，不說餘行。《小經》往生的正因，也唯有標舉執持名號，沒有說其他的修行法門。所以淨土三經都一致的只說念佛一行，不說其他的雜修雜行。

善導大師為防範我們雜修雜行，要我們固守依據三經專修專行，所以說日念三萬以上是上品上生。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 10

Aug 10, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

In the teaching of deliverance, whether the person to be delivered is kind or evil is not counted, as the teaching is transcendental, designated for those who are unable to save themselves with their own means. We are unable to gain insight on our true mind and see our own nature, unable to subdue afflictions, and unable to purify our own mind. Conversely, our afflictions are flourishing, our karmic offenses are heinous, our blessings and wisdom is as thin as a piece of paper, and our karmic obstruction is sky-high.

But… How amazing! What good luck we have! We rejoice not only over our encounter with the Buddhist teachings, but also rejoice over our encounter with Amitabha’s teaching on deliverance, having listened to the dharma sound of deliverance—“wishing to be reborn in my Land” that Amitabha Buddha sends from the Pure Land.

This sound breaks through our tightly-closed heart, awakens us from the gloomy dream, and arouses our earnest aspiration to be reborn in that land. So, we vow not to retrogress in this life. Amitabha Buddha calls us and we respond accordingly. The call and the response are matched and united into one entity, and this connection will never be separated.

救度的法門是不論善惡的，救度的法門是超越的，救度的法門是救度無力自救的人。我們不能明心見性、不能降伏煩惱、不能自淨其意，反而煩惱強盛、罪業深重，福慧如紙之薄，業障如天之高。

但是慶哉！喜哉！我們不但慶幸遇到佛法，更慶幸遇到阿彌陀佛救度的法門，聽聞到阿彌陀佛從淨土傳來「欲生我國」的救度法音。

這法音頓然劃破了我們緊閉的心窗，驚醒了我們幽暗的夢魂，使我們發起願生彼國的懇切之心，誓畢此生無有退轉。彌陀呼喚，我們回應，呼應一體函蓋相合，感應道交永遠不離。

Namo Amitabha

Aug 9

Aug 9, 2017
慧淨上人法語
人生目的

According to Amitabha Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha urges us the sentient beings in the Saha World to aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss by all means.  He urges us one time after the other. That means he has repeatedly urged us in infinite times. He is always urging us, hoping that we can be reborn in the Land of Bliss.

Aspiration to be reborn in the Land of Bliss, hence, is the original intent of Shakyamuni Buddha’s descent to the world, and also the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha. It is our purpose of life and our highest desire too.

釋迦牟尼佛在《阿彌陀經》勸我們娑婆眾生，無論如何都要願生極樂世界。一而再，再而三，即是表示無量次，時時的勸我們，時時希望我們往生極樂世界。

所以願生極樂世界，即是釋迦牟尼佛出世的本願，也是阿彌陀佛的本願，也是我們人生的目的、最高的願望。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 8

Aug 8, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛度亡

Nowadays, many people advocate “tree burial”, “scattering burial”, and “sea burial”  [after cremation]. Among these, scattering [on land] is the most convenient one, and tree burial comes next. So, the best way is scattering, as it does not occupy any land.

A dead person reincarnates in accordance with the karmic forces. If he is reborn in the Land of Bliss, the cremated remains are no longer his belongings, and the final disposition method does not affect him at all. Moreover, we don’t want our ancestors being attached to the ashes in the urn.

Hence, the best way is to take him across [expiate his sinful karmas] by the Buddhist dharma. Solely by Amitabha-recitation, he will not attach to the cremated remains. At that time, his cremated remains can be crushed into powder (ashes), and scattered in the woods, in order to make karmic connections with other sentient beings, and expiate the guilt of meat-eating and offence to other sentient beings in this life.

現在提倡樹葬、灑葬、或海葬，在這一些當中，以灑葬最方便，然後是樹葬。所以，最好能用灑葬，不再佔用一個地方。

因為人死了都是隨業流轉，如果往生極樂世界，骨灰對他來講，已經不是他的，如何處理對他沒有任何影響，同時我們也不希望祖先執著在這個骨灰甕裏面。

所以，最好是以佛法來超度，只要念佛，他不會在陰間執著這個骨灰的。這時候，骨灰可以磨成粉，灑在叢林當中，讓遺留下來的骨灰和其他眾生結緣，彌補一生所吃的眾生之肉。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 7

Aug 7, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

(continued)

If we want to dissolve those karmas and repay the karmic debts, accumulation of merits through practicing worldly virtues is absolutely impossible. If we want to dissolve and repay them by our own effort—to attain merits and virtues through practicing Buddhist teachings, it is also impossible.

Then, what can we do? Rely on “Namo Amituofo”. Namo Amituofo is the great name of a myriad of virtues and possesses all kinds of merits and virtues of all practices, of which the quantity is inconceivable, immeasurable, and boundless.

By recitng “Namo Amituofo” solely and exclusively, we can repay all karmic debts (obstruction) of our past lives, reduce the retributions from heavy to light, and transform retributions in future lives to the present life, or even dissolve them completely.

如果靠我們行善積德，想要來化解、償還這種業，是絕對不可能的；靠自己修持佛法的功德來化解償還，也不可能。

那要怎麼辦？就是靠「南無阿彌陀佛」。這句 「南無阿彌陀佛」萬德洪名，具足所有的善行功德，而且多到不可思議、無量無邊。

我們只要專念「南無阿彌陀佛」，生生世世的業障都能夠償還，轉重報為輕報， 轉未來報為現世報，甚至完全化解。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 6

Aug 6, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

If one gets “sick” due to karmic obstruction, only the “medicine” of meritorious virtues can cure; otherwise, no matter how much money is spent, how many brilliant doctors are consulted, it does not yield any healing effect because the prescription is not right.

Taking into account of our numerous past lives, we have accumulated plentiful, extremely heavy karmas of killing centipedes, venomous snakes and various wild animals, as well as karmas of offending the enemies and creditors. Because we are illusory and ignorant, we don’t know becoming a vegetarian and taking care of other living beings. Since born, we have killed numerous ants, mosquitos, or even mice, snakes, from small insects to large animals. Just in one life, we have made enormous karmic enemies with other beings, not to mention those karmic offenses accumulated in numerous past lives. It is incalculable.

(continued tomorrow)

得業障病，唯有功德的藥才能對治，否則不管花多少錢，換多少高明醫生，也不會有效果，因為沒有對症。

論我們生生世世以來，所造殺蜈蚣、毒蛇、種種猛獸的業，冤家債主的業，非常之多，因為我們愚癡，不懂得吃素、護生，從小到大，不知害死多少螞蟻、蚊蟲，甚至害死老鼠、蛇，不論是小昆蟲還是大動物，一世所結的冤就很多，何況累世所造的殺業，就更不能計數了。

Aug 5

Aug 5, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

Among the 84,000 kinds of teaching, invocation to the Buddha by name-recitation is the easiest one in practice and the most splendid one in terms of merits and virtues. Name-recitation is better than silent invocation in mind.

It is because Buddha-invocation in mind is not common, while name-recitation in voice can be practiced popularly. At the time near end-of-life, it is difficult for one to invoke Amitabha Buddha in mind when he is flurried and fearful. Name-recitation in voice, on the other hand, can eliminate his heavy karmic offenses in the past 8 billion eons that cause his birth-and-death.

Isn’t it meant that we can only recite the name in voice and cannot invoke Amitabha in mind? Not really. It is because that person belongs to the class at the lowest level in the low tier, and he is close to the end of his life. In our case, we can recite orally in our daily life. When tired, switch to silent recitation in mind.

八萬四千法門當中，方法最容易、功德又最殊勝的，就是稱名念佛。稱名念佛勝過心念的念佛。

因為心念的念佛不普遍，而口稱念佛能夠普遍；心念的念佛，於臨終的慌亂和恐懼中難以提起，而口稱的念佛卻能讓他聲聲消除八十億劫生死重罪。

難道我們念佛只可以嘴巴念佛心中不能念佛嗎？不是的，是因為那個人是下品下生的根機，他已經臨命終了；如果是我們，平常可以 一方面口念，口念累了就可以改為心中默念。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 4

Aug 4, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報

(continued)

Sentient beings’ mind is mixed with poisons, and their practices are conditioned and unreal; only Amitabha’s mind is pure, and his practices are real. So, only the power of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow is taken into account, not the power of ordinary beings’ practices. Don’t take qualification of the sentient beings as a criteria for making judgment on whether rebirth is attained, but do ask whether one believes in Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow. Those who believe will be reborn; those who doubt will not.

In brief, the teaching of the Fundamental Vow targets mainly ordinary beings. If they believe in “other-power” and practice accordingly, they will be reborn in the rewarded land. In other words, those who are extremely stupid in the lowest class [without alternative choice], following the extremely virtuous and foremost teaching, are reborn in the extremely high and most splendid land.

蓋眾生皆是雜毒之心，虛假之行；唯有彌陀是清淨之心，真實之行。因此，不論眾生修行之力，只論彌陀本願之力。不可依眾生的資格論生不生， 應該就彌陀之本願問信不信。信者得生，疑者不生。

總之，本願法門是凡夫正機，他力信行，報土往生。亦即極愚最下之人，依極善最上之法，生極高最妙之土。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 3

Aug 3, 2017
慧淨上人法語
凡夫入報

Without recourse to the vow, even a bodhisattva of equal enlightenment cannot be reborn [in the Land of Bliss], not to say an ordinary being. Concerning with the ordinary beings, they don’t even have the ability to liberate themselves from reincarnation within the Six Realms, how can they be reborn in a highly splendid reward land?

“Self-power” of those beings on the Five Vehicles is not the cause for their entering into the reward land; the main cause is the sole entrustment to the Buddha’s vow. No matter of what kinds of aptitude, and whether their deeds are virtuous or evil, rebirth in the reward land relies solely on the power of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, not on the practitioner’s own power.

(continued tomorrow)

若不乘彌陀願力，等覺菩薩無法往生，何況凡夫；若論凡夫，尚且無力脫離六道輪迴，何況往生高妙報土。

五乘自力非入報土之因，唯託本願才是正因。不論根機，不論善惡，往生報土，唯依彌陀本願之力，不依行者自身之力。

Aug 2 2017

Aug 2, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名
(continued)

What is the intention [of saying this]? That is to encourage and urge people forward on Amitabha-recitation. To a person who is occupied with nothing all day, he will not slacken off. Thinking of the high ranking while being occupied with nothing, he is just right for reciting the name 30,000 times a day. To a person who is very busy, he will also squeeze some time and sit down quietly for reciting Amitabha’s name when he thinks of getting into the highest rank by reciting 30,000 times.

After rebirth, however, does he really in the rank at the highest level of the high tier? Actually, everyone reborn there surpasses the highest level of the high tier. If we understand this principle, and know that the intention of Master Shandao’s interpretation is urging us not to be slothful, we should try our best to recite as many as we can without forsaking, and not to slacken off. In brief, we should be apt in digesting the essence of the master’s words.

這有什麼用意呢？就是策勵人家念佛。因為這樣終日無事之人就不會懈怠，想到可以上品上生，他平日沒有其他事情，正好可以每天念三萬聲；多忙之人，他想到三萬聲可以上品上生，就可以忙裡偷閒，鬧中取靜來念佛。

可是到那裡是上品上生嗎？其實到那裡都是超越上品上生的。懂得這樣的道理，曉得善導大師這樣的解釋是要我們不懈怠，就要儘量念念不捨，不要懈怠。總之，應該善取大師的精神旨趣。

Namo Amitabha!

Aug 1 2017

Aug 1, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

Why does Master Shandao say that those who recite Amitabha’s name 30,000 times per day are at the highest level of the high tier? For practitioners of this school, this helps to prevent sloth and complacency. The 18th Vow says “even ten recitations”, and Master Shandao interprets this as “reciting the preeminent name “Namo Amituofo”, and also “invocations after invocations without forsaking”.

Since the meaning [of the 18th Vow] is reciting the preeminent name Namo Amituofo continuously without forsaking, Master Shandao puts those who recite 30,000 times per day on the highest level of the high tier, so as to encourage people to recite invariably and never give up.

(continued tomorrow)

善導大師為什麼說「日念三萬是上品上生」，對學這個法門的人，第一是防範他懈怠。第十八願說「乃至十念」，善導大師解釋「乃至十念」就是稱南無阿彌陀佛的名號，也解釋為「念念不捨」。

既然是稱南無阿彌陀佛的名號，而且是念念不捨，為了讓人家念念不捨，所以說每一天念三萬聲就是上品上生。

Namo Amitabha!