Nov 29 2018

Nov 29, 2018
慧淨上人法語
《佛說無量壽經》

The 48 vows can be divided into three categories:
1. Vows related to the Dharma body – also called vows to pursue the Buddha body. These are the vows made by Dharmakara Bodhisattva in selecting the splendors of his Buddha body at the time of becoming a Buddha. According to the Pure Land teaching, this Dharma body is not an ordinary Threefold Buddha body – Dharmakaya, Saṃbhogakaya, Nirmaṇakaya; but, is a Buddha body which contains “the accomplishment of all of his merits and virtues.” Among the 48 vows, the 12th Vow (Vow of Infinite Light) , the 13th Vow (Vow of Infinite Life) and the 17th Vow (Vow of the Praise by all Buddhas) are the teachings of his merits and virtues.
(to be continued)

四十八願，區分為三類： 
    
一、攝法身願，亦名求佛身願：法藏菩薩選擇攝取其成佛之時所要成就的佛身身相莊嚴之誓願。此法身依淨土宗義而言，並非一般三身（法身、報身、化身）之法身，而是「成就功德法」之佛身。四十八願之中，第十二光明無量願、第十三壽命無量願、第十七諸佛稱揚願等三願，正是其功德之法。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 28 2018

Nov 28, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Taking Refuge to Amitabha
皈命彌陀

A parasite that grows in a flower in the Five Pure Heavens (those in the 4th Dhyana heavens in the Form Domain) will not wither under the sun and wind. Water that flows in the river where the Dragon King lives will never dry out in a drought.

The meaning of this verse written by Master Daochuo is: If our impermanent, ever-changing, reincarnated life has taken refuge in Namo Amituofo, we don’t care about the length of our life. This is because the life of Amitabha Buddha is infinite, and because there is no reincarnation in the Land of Bliss. So, our life transcends the three periods of time – past, present and future, and becomes eternal.

「寄花五淨，風日不萎；附水靈河，世旱不竭。」

道綽大師這句偈的意思是說，將我們這個無常的、生滅的、輪迴的生命，歸命於南無阿彌陀佛，因為阿彌陀佛是無量壽，而且在極樂世界永不輪迴──生命超越過去、現在、未來三世而永恆存在，就無所謂壽命長短了。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 27 2018

Nov 27, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

Master Jingzong had a very good speech. He said, “A person who truly believes and accepts Amitabha’s deliverance, exclusively recites Amitabha’s Name, and aspires to rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land, must be reverent and humble. He cannot see his wholesomeness. He can only see his unwholesomeness. It is just like candle light that cannot be seen under sunlight. If a person can see the candle light, it means he is still in a dark room.”

So, a person with deep belief in aptitude and in teaching, only feels regret. He knows he is an iniquitous mortal being, who doesn’t feel he has any ability to practice or cultivate. Through Amitabha’s deliverance, a person should feel he is nothing special, even if he practices whatever he can.
.
淨宗法師有一段話談的很好，他說：「一個真正信受彌陀救度，專稱彌陀佛名，願生彌陀淨土的念佛人，他必定是一個恭敬謙卑的人，他看不到自己的善，他所看到的只是自己的惡，就像在太陽底下看不到蠟燭的光，如果還看到蠟燭的光，就表示還在黑暗的房子裡面。」

所以，對於一個信機信法的人，他只有自感慚愧，知道自己是一個罪惡生死的凡夫，他不會覺得自己能有任何修行。在阿彌陀佛的救度之下，即使能做什麼事，也會覺得沒有什麼了不起。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 26 3018

Nov 26, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Right View on Buddhist teachings
佛法知見

There are different kinds of good advisors, namely, “good advisor in teaching”, “good advisor in guardianship”, and “good advisor in companionship.” However, it doesn’t matter which kind of good advisor they are, those who can tell us about this Pure Land teaching, and help us believe and accept it , are our good advisors.

善知識有「教授善知識」、「外護善知識」、「同行善知識」，但不管什麼善知識，只要能夠講這個法門讓我們信受的，就都是我們的善知識。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 25 2018

Nov 25, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Faith in Pure Land
淨土信仰

In general Buddhist teachings, one’s own power and skills are required to leave the Three Domains, and completely accomplish the Buddhist Way. Only Pure Land is a teaching of total reliance on Amitabha’s deliverance through devotion. Because of reliance on Amitabha’s deliverance through devotion, all people can leave the endless cycle of birth and death within the Six Realms. They will be reborn in the Land of Bliss, where their full realization of Buddhahood will be expedited. It doesn’t matter if they have their own power and skills or not.

一般法門都必須靠自己的力量、功夫來脫出三界，乃至圓成佛道。唯有淨土法門，是完全仰仗阿彌陀佛的救度。也由於是仰仗阿彌陀佛的救度，所以不管自己有力量、沒力量，有功夫、沒功夫，人人都能脫離六道生死輪迴，人人都能往生極樂世界而快速證入佛果。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 24 2018

Nov 24, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism: Worldly Truths
淨土宗宗風俗諦

If our heart contains Amitabha’s life, we will naturally view our mind as Buddha’s mind, and our practices as Buddha’s practices. We are happy to practice virtuous deeds, and we enjoy forgiving others. Because we feel Amitabha’s caring, we will care for other people. Because Amitabha forgives us, we will forgive others. We should do these things because Amitabha gives us the splendid Land of Bliss and pays our karmic debts, accumulated over many eons.

Though a person may not care and forgive other people, he can still acquire Amitabha’s caring and forgiveness. However, once he feels Amitabha’s caring and forgiveness, he will also care and forgive others. If he cannot care and forgive others, he has not realized Amitabha’s caring and forgiveness.

人的內心若有彌陀的生命，自能以佛心為心，以佛行為行；喜行善事，樂恕人過。因為感受到彌陀愛護我們，使我們也會愛護他人；彌陀寬恕我們，使我們也會寬恕他人；更因獲得彌陀惠賜莊嚴的極樂，蒙受彌陀償還累劫的冤債之故。

人雖不能愛護、寬恕他人，亦能獲得彌陀的愛護與寬恕；人若一旦感受到彌陀的愛護與寬恕，也必能愛護、寬恕他人；若其不能愛護、寬恕他人，便是尚未體悟彌陀的愛護與寬恕。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 23 2018

Nov 23, 2018
A quote from Master Shandao’s Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra
善導大師語錄

A text about “though it can be dedicated”
If one performs the “assorted practices”, one's mind is constantly interrupted. Even though one may transfer or dedicate the merit of such practices for attaining rebirth, these are called “distant and mixed practices”.

《觀經疏》「雖可迴向」之文：
雜行即心常間斷，雖可迴向得生，眾名疏雜之行也。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 22 2018

Nov 22, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》

The connotation of the 48 vows is generally divided into three aspects, that is the three accomplishments in 48 vows”:

1. Accomplishment of Pure Land – to accomplish the pure and splendid Land of Bliss to accommodate sentient beings of the ten directions delivered to become Buddhas.

2. Accomplishment of rebirth – to accomplish the essentials of merits and virtues for assured rebirth of sentient beings of the ten directions.

3. Accomplishment of the Buddha body – as the merits and virtues for rebirth of sentient beings are accomplished, Namo Amituofo, the king of all Buddhas and the noblest light, is naturally accomplished. Namo Amituofo has substantial power to deliver sentient beings of theten directions to be reborn in the Land of Bliss, and expedite the achievement of Buddhahood.

四十八願的內涵概略為三方面，亦即四十八願三成就：

一、成就淨土：成就清淨莊嚴、殊勝無比的極樂淨土，作為將來救度十方眾生的歸趨成佛之所。

二、成就往生：成就十方眾生必定往生的功德資糧。

三、成就佛身：既已成就眾生往生功德，自然成就了「佛中之王、光中極尊」的「南無阿彌陀佛」，有實際的力量能夠救度十方眾生往生淨土、快速成佛。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 21 2018

Nov 21, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Taking Refuge to Amitabha
皈命彌陀

We take refuge to the Three Gems. Taking refuge to the Buddha is to take refuge to Namo Amituofo; taking refuge to the Dharma is to take refuge to the teaching of Amitabha’s deliverance by his Fundamental Vow power. The Buddha is Namo Amituofo, and the Dharma is the teaching of deliverance by his Fundamental Vow. What about the Pure Land? It is Amitabha’s Pure Land, which is his Reward Land. For every practitioner in this school, he has no difference in grade and level with each other once he is born in the Land of Bliss.

It is said that “a multitude of Tathagata pure lotus flowers is born in manifestation of lotus flowers of perfect enlightenment.” Everyone that is reborn in the Land of Bliss is a Bodhisattva which is a manifestation of Amitabha’s lotus flower of perfect enlightenment. So, all practitioners of this teaching go to the same Pure Land, the same lotus flower because our school is “one Buddha, one teaching and one Pure Land”.

我們皈依三寶，皈依佛，就是皈依「南無阿彌陀佛」；皈依法，就是皈依阿彌陀佛本願救度的法門，佛是「南無阿彌陀佛」，法是「本願救度之法」，那麼淨土呢？是阿彌陀佛的淨土，也就是報土。每一個學這個法門的人，只要往生到極樂世界以後，都沒有階位高低的種種差別。

所謂「如來淨華眾，正覺華化生。」每一位往生的，都是由阿彌陀佛正覺花所化生的菩薩。所以學這個法門的，往生的淨土都相同，蓮花也相同，因為我們的法門是「一佛一法一淨土」。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 20 2018

Nov 20, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

Just as Master Honen says, Pure Land is a teaching of “returning to be a fool”, then we will rely on Amitabha’s power to be reborn in the Land of Bliss. It doesn’t matter whether we enter the meditative state of Samadhi or not, whether we have realized the sagely fruition or not, we have a common goal – aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss. Once we are reborn in the Land of Bliss, all are equal.

It doesn’t mean entering the meditative state of Samadhi is not good, or Bodhisattva practices is not good, but we must recognise we are of that kind of aptitude – deeply believe we are now iniquitous mortal ordinary being, and we have reincarnated for countless eons, thus it is impossible to leave the Three Domains through our own effort, so we have no alternative but just exclusively recite Amitabha’s name honestly and steadily, then we are ascertained to be reborn with recourse to Amitabha’s vow power.

我們就像法然上人所說的，所謂淨土法門就是「還愚痴」，然後靠彌陀的願力往生極樂世界。不管有入三昧、沒入三昧，有證果、沒證果，都還是求生極樂，一旦往生極樂，都平等平等。

這並不是說入三昧不好，菩薩的行為不好，而是要確認我們就是這種根機，深信自己現在就是罪惡生死凡夫，曠劫以來長時流轉，以自己的力量根本沒辦法出離三界，只有老老實實、踏踏實實的以我們這種根機來專稱彌陀名號，靠著彌陀的願力就必定往生。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 19 2018

Nov 19, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Right View on Buddhist teachings
佛法知見

We have to “follow and obey” in learning Buddhism – we believe in the way that the Buddha talks, we believe in the way that the patriarchs explain. It is called “to follow and obey”, also called “faith by devotion”.

Otherwise, if we wait to believe by the time we totally understand, we may have no chance to believe. Perhaps we may require a kind of experience, an auspicious response, or an account before we believe, but it is not certain that everyone has one. Moreover, so-called account or experience cannot be taken as a benchmark.

What is the benchmark? It lies on our belief in the ways of what the Buddha says, and what the patriarchs explain. It is because, if it is not evidenced by the sutras, all accounts are deviated to the direction of suspicion.  Moreover, it can be easily retrogress or set back.

For accounts, other religions, or other Buddhist schools and sects, and other teachings in cultivation, or even general tribal belief may have similar ones. Thus, accounts cannot be taken as evidence. We should set forth faith by devotion – follow and obey according to the sutras [spoken by the Buddha], follow and obey in accordance with the patriarchs’ commentaries.

我們學佛要能夠「隨順」，佛怎麼講我們就怎麼信，我們這個法門的祖師怎麼解釋，我們也怎麼的信，這個就叫「隨順」，也叫作「仰信」。

不然的話，等到完全理解再來相信，那永無相信之日，或者要有某一種體驗、靈驗、感應再來相信，可是那也不一定每一個人都有，何況所謂的感應、體驗也不能做為標準。

標準在哪裡？在佛怎麼說、祖師怎麼解，我們就怎麼信。因為，一切的感應如果沒有以經論做為依據，一來可能會偏差，走入迷信；二則往往容易退轉。

以感應來說，其他的宗教也有，佛教各宗各派、各種修行法門也都有，甚至一般的民間信仰也有談感應。所以感應也不是絕對可依據的，我們應該要仰信，隨順經典，隨順祖論。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 18 2018

Nov 18, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Faith in Pure Land
淨土信仰

Why can it transcend the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Grounds by mere recitation of the single name – Namo Amituofo, and enter the realm of Nirvana? It is because this six-character name originally consists of complete and perfect merits and virtues that transcend those Shrasaka, Prateyekbuddha and bodhisattvas. So, it can cut off and clear our mortal offenses in 8 billion kalpas during our recitation every time, and it can also  increase our blessings and virtues in 8 billion kalpas. Thus, all successive name-recitation will produce unsurpassed merit and virtues.

為什麼只要念一句「南無阿彌陀佛」就可以超越十地，進入涅槃的境界。那是因為這六字「南無阿彌陀佛」本來就是具足超越聲聞、緣覺、菩薩的圓滿功德，所以我們念念之中都在斷除我們八十億劫的生死重罪，都在增長我們八十億劫的福德智慧，念念都是無上功德。

Namo Amituofo

Nov 17 2018

Nov 17, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism: Worldly Truths
淨土宗宗風俗諦

Learning to become a Buddha is to learn Buddha’s compassionate mind. It also returns to our original state of a human being.  The truly original state of a human being is to selflessly dedicate to sentient beings. In this respect, we will treat other people to be kind and considerate.

Being kind and considerate means to render all people selfless love, render them grace, benefits, and let them feel our kindness and compassion, warmth and caring. So, we should have a broad mind to be kind and considerate to anybody, and let other people feel our warmth.

學佛也是學佛的慈悲心，學佛也是回歸本來人，真正的本來人，就是無我地奉獻眾生，這樣的話，對他人就會恩慈體貼。
恩慈體貼就是希望對所有的人都有無私的愛，給他人帶來恩惠、利益，讓他人感受到我們對他的慈悲、溫暖和照顧。所以，對任何人都要有恩慈體貼的胸襟，所到之處，都能讓對方感受到溫暖。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 16 2018

Nov 16, 2018
A quotation from Master Shandao’s “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth”
善導大師語錄

A text about “ gain and loss in exclusive and assorted practices”

Ten out of ten, a hundred out of a hundred, of those who sustain the practice of Amitabha-recitation, and recite consistently throughout their lives will be reborn. Why?

It is because one has Right Attention without being disturbed by external and assorted factors.

It is because it corresponds to Amitabha Buddha’s Fundamental Vow.

It is because it does not violate Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings.

It is because all Buddhas verify its truth.

If a person forsakes the exclusive practice of Amitabha-recitation and switches to other karmic practices, he will rarely be reborn. One or two out of a hundred, or  three to five out of a thousand will succeed.

However, a person who focuses his  mind on the practice of Amitabha-recitation, will be reborn  ten out of ten times. Among those who choose assorted other practices  without sincere mind, no more than one out of a thousand can be reborn.

《往生禮讚》「專雜得失」之文:

念念相續，畢命為期者，十即十生，百即百生。 何以故？無外雜緣得正念故，與佛本願得相應故，不違教故， 隨順佛語故。 若欲捨專修雜業者，百時稀得一二，千時稀得三五。 但使專意作者，十即十生； 修雜不至心者，千中無一。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 15 2018

Nov 15, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》

(continued)
Among the seven different versions of the Infinite Life Sutra, except the Sanskrit and Tibetan versions, the most popular version in China, Korea, and Japan is the one translated by Samghavarman. Master Shandao specifies this version to be the one for the fundamental and principal sutras of the Pure Land School. So, nowadays, when we speak of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, it refers to the 18th Vow of Amitabha’s 48 vows, as stated in the Infinite Life Sutra.

此七種異譯異本，梵文本與藏文本除外，中國所翻譯的五本之中，獨以康僧鎧所譯之《無量壽經》受到中國、朝鮮、日本所奉持；尤其善導大師以此經作為淨土宗根本正依經典之一，故現在若說到阿彌陀佛的本願，即是唯指《無量壽經》之四十八願而言。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 14 2018

Nov 14, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》

In learning about Amitabha’s particular vows, we usually refer to the 48 vows according to the Infinite Life Sutra. However, there are five different versions in translating the same sutra, as well as the Sanskrit and Tibetan versions. The number of vows may also vary, possibly 24, 36, 48 or 49 in different versions.

Nevertheless, referring to different versions in translation, the number of particular vows is not the same, due to “expansion” and “consolidation.” It means it can be expanded to 48 vows or consolidated to 24 vows. Usually, the 48 vows stated in the Infinite Life Sutra is the most appropriate and proper one.
(continued)

阿彌陀佛之別願（本願），一般是依據《無量壽經》所說之「四十八願」為別願，然而從現存的五種同本異譯，並梵文本、藏文本來看，未必同一數量，如 下面所列，其數各異，如二十四願，三十六願，四十八願，四十九願。

如此，從《無量壽經》的異譯異本來看，本願的數量未必相同，就此古來謂之 「開合具略」之異，開即四十八願，合即二十四願。而以《無量壽經》所說四十八願最為允正。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 13 2018

Nov 13, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha
皈命彌陀

Generally, if you feel the benefits of Buddhist teachings, and want to study them further, you will take refuge. If you haven’t taken refuge, it indicates you are not serious and earnest in learning Buddhist teachings, in reciting Buddha’s name, and in aspiring to be reborn in the Land of Bliss.

一般來說，如果感受到佛法的好處，而想更進一步虔誠學佛的話，都會皈依。 如果還沒有皈依，表示對學佛、對念佛、對將來要往生極樂世界的心還不夠懇切與殷重。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 12 2018

Nov 12, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings on Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

We should know, all of the three karmas accumulated in past lives are karmic offenses. They have no benefit in liberating us from reincarnation within the Six Realms. The more we accumulate negative karma, the more it forces us to reincarnate.

For those reasons, Master Shandao said, we are sentient beings that float up and down and reincarnate life after life, without any causal condition to be released.

Simply speaking, without Amitabha’s Other Power, we must fall into hells, Who can guarantee we will again have a human body, hear the Buddhist teachings, and never fall into the Three Wretched Realms in our future lives?

以我們來講，可說生生世世所累積的三業行為，都是在造罪造業，沒有脫出六道輪迴的力量，只有日益累積、加劇輪迴的業力而已。

所以，善導大師說我們 是「常沒常流轉」的眾生，「曠劫以來，無有出離之緣」。

簡要而言，我們若不念彌陀，必將墮落地獄，因為誰敢說他生生世世都能擁有 人身、遇到佛法、不會墮落三惡道？

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 11 2018

Nov 11, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings on Right View in Buddhist teachings
佛法知見

(continued)
At one time, Ananda asked the Buddha, “Does a good advisor constitute half of the causal condition to help us attain the Way?” The Buddha replied, “It is the whole causal condition.”

Generally, some people may think: All of us have Buddha-nature, which is like a seed. It will germinate, flower, and eventually produce fruit.( If it is planted in healthy soil according to the ripening of the seasonal conditions) So, the external factors constitute half of the causal conditions, while our Buddha-nature and our vigor form the other half. So, combining the external and internal conditions creates the whole. In that way, the flower will blossom and the fruit will be produced. It is the same as realization of fruition through cultivation.

People may think that way; but, the Buddha says, “It’s not like that. A good advisor is the whole causal condition, to help us attain the Way, and achieve Buddhahood.” Thus, we should know how important a good advisor is for a Buddhist.

有一次，阿難尊者請問佛陀：「善知識是不是助我們得道的半因緣呢？」佛陀回答：「是得道的全因緣。」

一般人大概會認為，我們都有佛性，佛性就像種子一樣，如果努力耕耘，隨著時節因緣的成熟，總會開花結果的；所以，外來的緣應只是一半的因緣，而我 們本具的佛性、自身的精進又是另一半的因緣，二個因緣合起來就是全部因緣 ，則能開花結果，也就是修行證果。

一般人大都會這麼想，但是佛陀卻說：「不是這樣！善知識就是我們得道成佛的全因緣。」由此可知，善知識對學佛人來說，是多麼的重要。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 10 2018

Nov 10, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Right View on Buddhist teachings
佛法知見

One who can guide another person to the path of liberation is called their “good advisor”. In Tantric Buddhism, they have to take Four Refuges; which includes the most important refuge, the Vajra Master. I think this is reasonable because, the right words at the right time, may change a person’s character, fate, and even their whole lives. Particularly in some critical moment, an important speech has the absolute influence to a person.

(to be continued tomorrow)

只要能使對方走上解脫之路的，就是對方的善知識。密教有四皈依，在四皈依當中最重要的是皈依金剛上師，我想這有它的道理在，因為善知識適得其時的 一句話往往會改變一個人的性格、命運或一生。尤其在關鍵時刻，緊要的一句話對人的影響是絕對性的。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 9 2018

Nov 9, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism
淨土信仰

Amitabha’s Name is called “the great Name of ten thousand virtues.” Actually, the Chinese word “Wan” (ten thousand) is not a numerical number. It means “all-sufficient, perfect, transcendental, and complete.”

That is to say, the merits and virtues contained in Amitabha’s Name are all that is required to: transcend reincarnation within the Six Realms and all of the Bodhisattva stages, achieve rebirth in the Land of Bliss, and expedite our achievement of Buddhahood.

這句名號叫做「萬德洪名」。萬德洪名的「萬」不是數目字的百千萬的萬，而 是「具足、完滿、超越」的意思。

也就是往生成佛的功德，在這句名號中完全 圓滿、完全具足，而且使我們超越六道輪迴，一旦到極樂世界就能夠超越三賢 十聖而快速成佛。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 8 2018

Nov 8, 2018
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風俗諦

Your gold is gone and your silver dispersed. Can you still grasp them in the realm of death? Your wife is gone and your son departed. You will never meet them again, even on the path to darkness.

When death comes, we know we are in a dream. We can bring nothing with us but our karma.

If we ponder these truths deep in our hearts, we will be less caught up in worldly matters. All of our emotions will be pacified and we will be less upset when we are unfairly treated. If we know we can take nothing with us at the end of our lives, and only karma accompanies us to see King Yama, we should not be so calculating. We can leave some merits to others, and bring some for ourselves.

Ordinary people speak that way; but, as Pure Land practitioners, we should deal with all matters with hearts and practices that are like Amitabha’s. As the saying goes, “Treat others the way Amitabha treats you.”

「金也空，銀也空，死後何曾在手中；妻也空，子也空，黃泉路上不相逢。」

「一旦無常到，方知夢裏人；萬般帶不去，唯有業隨身。」

這些句子如果偶爾 思惟一下，就能滌蕩我們的心靈，讓我們對世間、恩怨比較不會那麼計較、不平、不滿，情緒比較能夠平撫。 想到人生最後也是空手一雙，隨業去見閻羅王，就不應該計較，反而要留下一 些功德，帶一些功德去。

當然這是就一般人來講的。就我們修學淨土法門來講 ，凡事應該以彌陀之心為心，以彌陀之行為行，就像「宗風──俗諦」所說的： 「彌陀如何為我，我便如何為人」。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 7 2018

Nov 7, 2018
A quote from Master Shandao
善導大師語錄

A text about “adequacy in faith and practice, and assured rebirth in the present life”

Even when a person has the complete Three States of Mind, it is not possible to accomplish rebirth without practice. However, when both aspiration and practice are done, there is no reason that one cannot be reborn.

《觀經疏》「心行具足、平生業成」之文：

三心既具，無行不成；願行既成，若不生者，無有是處也。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 6 2018

Nov 6, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings - The Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》

What does the Fundamental Vow talk about? It talks about “Name-recitation”, which is unique. Actually, the entire Infinite Life Sutra talks about Name-recitation.

There are two fascicles in the Infinite Life Sutra. The first fascicle talks about how Dharmakara makes vows and pursues his practices to become Amitabha Buddha. Among Dharmakara’s 48 Vows, the 18th is considered the Fundamental Vow. The 18th Vow talks about Name-recitation. So, doesn’t it mean that the core teaching of the first fascicle is Name- recitation?

The second fascicle explains the retributive rewards of Dharmakara after he becomes Amitabha Buddha. It also explains how sentient beings can be reborn, and how they can become Buddhas.

The first fascicle talks about the cause and effects of Dharmakara becoming Amitabha Buddha. The second fascicle talks about the cause and effect of sentient beings being reborn.

It means “the cause of rebirth permeates the sea of rewards, and the effect of those rewards penetrates to the origins of our suffering.” Thus, Master Shandao says, “The 48 vows in the Infinite Life Sutra, simply explain rebirth through exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name.”

本願講什麼？講「稱名」，獨一無二。

其實整部《無量壽經》都是在講稱名，《無量壽經》有上下兩卷，〈上卷〉是在講阿彌陀佛如何發願修行，講阿彌陀佛成佛發願的因，既然四十八願的根本願是第十八願，第十八願在講「稱名」，豈不是〈上卷〉的核心就在「稱名」兩個字；〈下卷〉是在說明阿彌陀佛成佛之後的果報，極樂世界的莊嚴，以及眾生如何往生、如何成佛。

所以〈上卷〉是講彌陀成佛的因果，〈下卷〉講眾生往生的因果而「因賅果海，果徹因源」，因此，善導大師就說：「《無量壽經》四十八願中，唯明專念彌陀名號得生。」

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 5 2018

Nov 5, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings - Taking Refuge in Amitabha Buddha
皈命彌陀

How should our temperament be in taking refuge?
1. Sincere, reverent, and earnest,
2. Understanding the Three Gems and clearly expressing it,
3. Serious and anticipating complete and ultimate perfection.

以何心情皈依：一、真誠、恭敬、殷切心。二、了解三皈、清楚表達。三、鄭重其事，以期圓滿究竟。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 2 2018

Nov 2, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings - Right View on Buddhist teachings
佛法知見

In the Sutras, Shakyamuni Buddha makes a very important statement - “A Good Advisor is not just half of the causal condition for sentient beings to be delivered; but, is the whole.” Their advice enables us to avoid: going up the hill of swords,  being burned in a vessel of boiling oil, or to be born from the belly of a cow or horse. That “Good Advisor” enables us to leave this burning house in the Three Domains and reach the realm of Nirvana.

經典上，釋迦牟尼佛開示我們說，善知識不只是眾生得度的半個因緣，而且是全部因緣；能使我們「不上刀山、不下油鍋、不入牛胎、不出馬腹」，更能脫離三界火宅，達到涅槃的境界。這都是善知識的德能。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 4 2018

Nov 4, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings - Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

(continued)
Let’s look at No Stealing. Taking what is not given: taking things you shouldn’t take, spending money that is not yours, or using something that you have not been given permission to use, are all regarded as stealing. Whether the action is as small as taking a needle and thread, or as great as taking another’s money, these are all forms of stealing. If we use the mirror of the Five Precepts to examine our own speech and conduct, we know we easily commit offenses. The Earth Store Sutra says, “For sentient beings in the Jambudvipa, their actions and their thoughts are nothing but karmic offenses.”

不偷盜，就是不取不應該取的，甚至花費超過自己本份應得的東西，也算是偷盜；甚至在公司裏用公司的郵票、信封、信紙啦，也算是偷盜；別人或公家的物品，小如針線、大如鈔票，擅自拿取，也算是偷盜的範圍。我們用五戒的鏡子來照照自己的言行，就知道很容易犯。《地藏經》說：閻浮眾生，舉止動念，無不是業，無不是罪。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 3 2018

Nov 3, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings - Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

If we deeply and clearly evaluate our aptitudes and virtuous roots, we find that we are simply unqualified and lack the capacity to pursue the Sagely Path. If we don’t understand ourselves, and go for the Sagely Path, we shall continue to reincarnate.

In our daily lives, it is not easy to uphold the Five Precepts well. For instance, let’s look at No Lying. Though we know we should be truthful, we often break that Precept in our speech and actions.
(to be continued)

我們如果真正深入去檢討自己的根機，就會發現我們不夠資格，是沒有力量學聖道門的，若是對自己缺乏自知之明，而去走聖道門，我們還會再度地繼續輪迴。

我們在日常生活中能夠把「五戒」持好是很不容易的。比如說不打妄語，我們心中明知要真誠清淨，言行一致，心口一如，打妄語是犯戒，卻往往會說妄語。

Namo Amituofo!

Nov 1 2018

Nov 1, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings - Faith in Pure Land Buddhism
淨土信仰

Those who wish to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land should know that their positive and negative karma are of different weights. Amitabha Buddha’s mind is equal and universal in deliverance.

If they can realize in this way, those with positive karma should perform more wholesome deeds to repay the grace, and those with negative karma should start performing wholesome deeds to correct their misconduct, because all of them are now already secured in rebirth.

However, it should be noted that, the volition to repay that grace and to perform wholesome deeds, both ultimately originate from the touch of Amitabha’s great compassion.

只是欲生彼國之人，應該首先知道眾生善惡雖然輕重不等，彌陀佛心卻是平等普濟。

若能如此體悟，則善機感念佛德更加力行善事以報恩，惡機蒙佛救度自能洗心革面以行善。

故生起真正報恩、行善的力量，其根源來自對彌陀大悲的l觸動。

Namo Amituofo!