May 25 2020

May 25, 2020

An excerpt from the Chapter on the Meaning of the Non-meditative Virtues from the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra

善導大師語錄

《觀經疏》〈散善義〉:

By merely hearing Amitabha’s Name of the Threefold Body, a person can clear his karmic sins accumulated over many eons, not to mention if he takes refuge in Amitabha with right mindfulness [of rebirth through exclusive recitation]. How can he not attain confirmation and assurance?

但聞三身之號,尚滅多劫罪愆,何況正念歸依,而不獲證也。

Namo Amituofo!

May 24 2020

May 24, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Amitabha Sutra

《佛說阿彌陀經》

The Amitabha Sutra says, “If you travel westward from here, passing a hundred thousand koṭis of buddha lands, you will come to the land called Bliss.” It seems the land is confined to the west; but, we should understand it is an expedient means of expression. It says in another scripture that this land is “vast and broad, without borders or boundaries, and infinite like empty space.”

Actually, the Land of Bliss is the same as Amitabha’s light, which extends infinitely through every Dharma Realm. The vastness of the Land of Bliss exceeds the ability of language to describe.

《阿彌陀經》所講的:「從是西方過十萬億佛土,有世界名曰極樂。」好像有個方位,侷限在西邊,但其實這是就我們凡夫所能理解的一個有限的方便說法。論起極樂世界, 另外有經論說:「廣大無邊際,究竟如虛空。」

其實極樂世界是跟阿彌陀佛的光明一樣,盡虛空、遍法界的存在。極樂世界的廣大, 是包含整個大宇宙的, 即使是大宇宙,也有邊際、範圍,但是極樂世界卻是沒有範圍的。

Namo Amituofo!

May 23 2020

May 23, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - the Buddha’s Enlightening Mottos

醒世箴言

The spirit consciousness cannot be defined by space, time, direction, or dimension. When a person is close to death, he is in the state of transcending the eternity of space and time. If the necessary karma and causal conditions combine at that moment, he will be reborn in another body and begin his next life. ( in either the wicked or virtuous realms)

神識無時間空間之隔,無上下左右前後之分,故亦無過去和未來,臨命終時正處超越時空的永恒當中;若業力現前,剎那之間,立刻前往,投胎轉世,故亦是升沉交關之緊要時節。

Namo Amituofo!

May 22 2020

May 22, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

As time goes by, during the Age of Decline of the Buddha-Dharma, the power to inspire and deliver others is weaker and weaker, and the level of morality is increasingly declining. People want to practice virtues; but, they are not capable. They do not know when or if they can achieve Buddhahood. This is the general condition in today’s Buddhist world.

As far as our physical needs are concerned, technologies have exponentially improved our conditions. However, as far as eliminating our delusions and achieving fruition in practice are concerned, our capabilities have drastically declined. This is a matter of irrefutable fact. That is why the great sacred Buddha predicted, “Not even one person will attain the Way in the Dharma-Declining Era.”

No matter how splendid a teaching is, if it is too difficult, or even impossible, for sentient beings to practice, it brings them no true benefits.

隨著距離佛陀入滅年代的久遠,感化的力量次第微弱,社會的風氣愈益澆薄;修行有心無力,證果遙遙無期,這是教界當今的現象,可說觸目皆是。

從物質方面而言,厚生利用之術一日千里;然斷惑證真之道如江河日下,這是無可置疑的事實。故大聖佛陀預先斷言「末法時中,未有一人得者。」

一種法門不論如何殊勝,如果對於眾生是難行,甚至不能行,則此法於眾生無利益可言。

Namo Amituofo!

May 21 2020

May 21, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha Buddha

皈命彌陀

There is suffering in this world; but, there is peace and happiness in the Buddha. Being embraced by Amitabha, we are revitalized and all matters from our past lives are gradually wiped away. We depart from darkness forever, because we are always illuminated by the Buddha’s light.

在世上有苦難,在佛裏有平安。在彌陀懷抱中,我們舊事已過,重獲新生;黑暗永離,光明常照。

Namo Amituofo!

May 20 2020

May 20, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism

淨土信仰

Every person must die eventually. When an Amitabha reciter approaches death, Amitabha Buddha will come personally to receive him, to be reborn in the Land of Bliss. In this way, he is saved from the judgement of King Yama forever, and leaves the cycle of birth-and-death within the Three Domains and the Six Realms. Once we are reborn in the Land of Bliss, our achievement of Buddhahood is expedited. All of this is accomplished through the functions of Amitabha’s 48 vows, particularly the 18th Vow.

人終有一死,人在將死的時候,阿彌陀佛就親自來迎接我們到極樂世界,永遠離開了閻羅王的魔掌,離開了三界六道的生死輪迴,而且到了極樂世界,就能夠快速成佛,這些功能都在阿彌陀佛的四十八願當中,尤其是在阿彌陀佛的第十八願。

Namo Amituofo!

May 19 2020

May 19, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land School: Worldly Truths

淨土宗宗風俗諦

Our monastery is jointly managed by the Four Assemblies of monastics and householders. In this way, the Sangha does not just focus on matters related to the monastics; but, is also a home for all practitioners. Thus, within the Sangha, no matter whether monastics or householders, we are like a family. We should strive to understand, forgive, care for, and help each other in our endeavors.

我們這個道場是四眾共管,所以教團不只是出家人的家,也是同修的家,因此,在教團當 中,不管出家眾或是同修,大家就好像一家人一樣,應該彼此體諒、包容、愛護、成全。

Namo Amituofo!

May 18 2020

May 18, 2020

An excerpt from the Chapter on the Meaning of the Non-meditative Virtues in the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra

善導大師語錄

《觀經疏》〈散善義〉:

Those of the lowest level of the low tier have the fewest virtuous roots.

They commit the Ten Unwholesome Deeds and the Five Transgressions due to greed and hatred.

They also steal the property of the Sangha and slander the right Dharma. They have not yet repented nor regret what they do.

When one of them is dying, he experiences all kinds of suffering.

Just as the flames of hell appear in front of him, he meets a virtuous advisor with a good knowledge of rebirth.

The advisor urges him to exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name.

Subsequently, following his voice, Amitabha and the bodhisattvas arrive.

Inclining wholeheartedly toward the Buddha, with singleness of mind he enters a jewelled lotus flower.

下輩下行下根人,十惡五逆等貪瞋,

四重偷僧謗正法,未曾慚愧悔前愆。

終時苦相如雲集,地獄猛火罪人前,

忽遇往生善知識,急勸專稱彼佛名,

化佛菩薩尋聲到,一念傾心入寶蓮。

Namo Amituofo!

May 17 2020

May 17, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Amitabha Sutra

《佛說阿彌陀經》

The Pure Land teaching was initially established on the basis of “directions and forms”. It is totally different from the teachings of the Sacred Path that state, “Self-Nature is Amitabha, and the Pure Land is Mere Consciousness.” This point is clearly unfolded in the beginning of the Amitabha Sutra.

淨土法門最初建立在「指方立相」上,與一般聖道門所謂「自性彌陀,唯心淨土」是截然不同的,這在《阿彌陀經》一開始就顯現出來了。

Namo Amituofo!

May 16 2020

May 16, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - the Buddha’s Enlightening Mottos

醒世箴言

(continued)

All of the good and evil karma in this life and past lives will emerge like dreams, when we are close to death. The Sixth Consciousness is very weak, so the images are disordered, illogical, and confused as to time and place. These experiences are very common as we approach death.

今生今世以及生生世世的善惡業浮現,就好像做夢時,第六意識較薄弱,所以毫無順序、毫無邏輯、毫無條理,時間、空間都很混亂,沒有一個能控制的主人,一般人死的時候大都是像這樣子的。

Namo Amituofo!

May 15 2020

May 15, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - the Buddha’s Enlightening Mottos

醒世箴言

A person’s mind will be very confused at the time of his last breath. All of his past karma, including the virtuous seeds and the wicked seeds, will emerge.

We can differentiate and determine what to do, what not to do, what to say and what not to say, because we have the Sixth Consciousness. However, when we are close to death, the Sixth Consciousness will lose its functions as the functions of all other organs are lost. At that time, the Alaya Consciousness that controls our destiny in the next life will come into effect.

(to be continued tomorrow)

人要斷氣時都會顛倒,過去所作的業,善的種子、惡的種子,都會浮現。

我們現在因為有第六意識,可以分別判斷什麼該做、什麼不該做,什麼該說、什麼不該說;但是斷氣時,第六意識就會隨著器官功能的消失而消失。第六意識沒有作用,主宰投胎輪迴的阿賴耶識就會浮現。

Namo Amituofo!

May 14 2020

May 14, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Practicing Various Virtues

眾善奉行

Because of his past karma, a person is destined for good fortune and wealth in this life. In order to accumulate blessings and virtues, we should focus our minds on kindness, speak in kind words, and perform kind deeds. If we lose in life, just regard it as paying off a debt. Don’t worry if others take advantage of us. If we have a kind thought, the god of fortune will follow us. If we have a wicked thought, the god of evil will follow us.

If we practice virtues, misfortune is far away, even though fortune has not yet come. If we do evil, fortune is far away, even though misfortune has not yet come. Thus, we should always recite Amitabha’s Name and practice virtues.

人的窮通禍福都有定數。要存好心、說好話、做好事、積福德。吃虧是佔便宜,是還債。

心起善念,則吉神隨之;心起惡念,則凶神隨之。

人為善,福雖未至,禍已遠離;人為惡,禍雖未至,福已遠離。要常念佛號, 常行好事。

Namo Amituofo!

May 13 2020

May 13, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

Taking refuge in Amitabha is already contained within the practice of Amitabha-recitation.

皈命彌陀展現在念佛當中。

Namo Amituofo!

May 12 2020

May 12, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism

淨土信仰

Because some practitioners lack the foundation of theoretical teachings, they think: though they have been assured of rebirth through Amitabha-recitation they are still suffering with afflictions, heavy karmic obstructions, and unceasing miscellaneous thoughts. They have no pure mind and no excellence in the skills of practice, So, they are afraid that they cannot be reborn.

They have these ideas because they lack understanding of Pure Land teachings, and they don’t understand Amitabha’s boundless compassion. If they can study the Pure Land teachings of the Shandao tradition, the sun of faith will brighten the sky of their hearts and all of their doubts will be removed.

有人教理基礎不夠,以為雖然平生多念,念念不捨,但依然煩惱熾盛,業障深重,妄想紛 ,雜念叢生,沒有清淨心,沒有功夫成片、夢寐一如,恐怕難得往生。

有這觀念,就是尚不知淨土宗的教理,不知彌陀的慈悲。如果能夠薰習善導大師的淨土教義,所有這些疑問,必能煙消雲散,而信日朗天。

Namo Amituofo!

May 11 2020

May 11, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land School: Worldly Truths

淨土宗宗風俗諦

Although we are Pure Land practitioners with the aim of attaining rebirth through Amitabha-recitation, and attaining the enlightenment of unsurpassed Buddhahood in the Pure Land, we should strive to work for sentient beings like horses and cows, according to our conditions, without any hesitation, and as much as we can. We do this because our purpose in studying Buddhism is to become a Buddha who serves sentient beings.

我們雖是淨土法門,以念佛往生淨土,在淨土證無上佛果為宗旨;然而學佛既為成佛,成

佛本為眾生,則今生現世也應隨緣盡力,為眾生做事,甚至為眾生做馬做牛,只要我們能力所及,便應當仁不讓。

Namo Amituofo!

May 10 2020

May 10, 2020

An excerpt from the Chapter on the Meaning of the Non-meditative Virtues in the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra

善導大師語錄

《觀經疏》〈散善義〉:

If we have right mindfulness (of assured rebirth through exclusive Amitabha-recitation) near the end-of-life, a golden lotus flower will come to carry us to the Land of Bliss.

臨終正念,即有金華來應。

Namo Amituofo!

May 9 2020

May 9, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Amitabha Sutra

《佛說阿彌陀經》

(Continued)

The second meaning is: To discuss the method to gain rebirth. For rebirth in the Land of Bliss, if we follow the practice of meditative and non-meditative virtues in the world, which are few in virtuous roots and blessings, we cannot attain rebirth. However, upon hearing of Amitabha Buddha, if we hold fast to his Name, that is the method to gain rebirth.

The third meaning is: sincere validation by the buddhas in the six directions. Shakyamuni Buddha is concerned about doubts among sentient beings in the ten directions , who may not trust what he says. So, he invites the buddhas in the six directions (“six” extending to “ten”) to validate that Shakyamuni Buddha’s words are true, and to urge us to believe and accept them without any doubts.

第二點，示往生方法。要往生極樂世界，如果依我們在這世間所修的定善散善，都是屬於少善根、少福德因緣，這個不能往生；聞說阿彌陀佛之後，而執持名號，這個就是往生的方法。

第三點，六方諸佛證誠。釋迦牟尼佛耽心因我們十方眾生疑心很重，單單祂一個人所講的，我們不能信任，所以又舉出六方（六方即是十方）諸佛來證明釋迦牟尼佛所講的是真實不虛的，以勸導我們信受，不要懷疑。

Namo Amituofo!

May 8 2020

May 8, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Amitabha Sutra

《佛說阿彌陀經》

Pure Land practitioners regard the Amitabha Sutra as the Dissemination Part of the Contemplation Sutra.

There are three general meanings in the Amitabha Sutra:

The first meaning is: To praise the circumstantial and 

 primary rewards of the Land of Bliss. This is done to nurture our admiration and appreciation of the Land of Bliss,and awaken our aspiration to be reborn there.

(to be continued tomorrow)

自古以來，淨土行人大都認為：《阿彌陀經》就是《觀經》的流通分。

《阿彌陀經》的大意有三點：

第一點，讚極樂依正。《阿彌陀經》一開始講依報莊嚴、正報莊嚴，目的是引發我們對極樂世界的嚮往心、歡喜心，讓我們生起求生極樂世界之心。

Namo Amituofo!

May 7 2020

May 7, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Buddha' s Enlightening Motto

醒世箴言

(continued)

3. Affiliation to the next life – Near the end-of-life, we know we cannot attach to our body or circumstances. We wonder, is there another world after death? Will it be filled with happiness or suffering?

When we are focused on our family, career, or accumulating possessions, we don’t think of this matter. We never plan or prepare for the great matter of birth-and-death until we are close to death. As it is said in the Sutra, “ as we approach the end of life, regret and fear plague our thoughts.”

（三）當生愛——臨終時，知道境界、身體都執著不了，又是死後有沒有另一世界，苦或樂。他最後最關心、執著的就是未來的這件事，這叫當生愛。

活著的時候，沒想到死後這件事情，將一生的青春奉獻在兒女身上，浪費在貪圖五欲之上，從來沒有為自己的生死大事準備過、計畫過，直到要死了才懊悔起來，所以經典上說「大命將終，悔懼交至」，內心既懊悔，又懼怕。

Namo Amituofo!

May 6 2020

May 6, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Buddha's Enlightening Motto

醒世箴言

Generally, when a person is close to death, he has three kinds of love / affiliations /attachments:

1. Affiliation to circumstances – attachment to our immediate environment( our family, relatives, home, fame, wealth, status, etc.)

2. Affiliation to our body – attachment to our body. We don’t understand the body is conditioned, formed by causal conditions and existent only for a period of time, Thus, we must leave it eventually.

一般人在臨命終時有三種愛，愛就是執著。

 （一）境界愛——對環境的執著。所謂環境，就是我們的家，我們的親人，我們所住的地方，還有我們的名呀、利呀、地位呀，這些執著。

 （二）自體愛——對自己身體的執著。不曉得這個身體也是假的、因緣和合的、一時擁有的、最後非離開不可的。

Namo Amituofo!

May 5 2020

May 5, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Practicing Various Virtues

眾善奉行

What is real virtue in this world? It is aspiration to rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land and exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name. If a great philanthropist does not attain rebirth through Amitabha-recitation, he will have gained less than a wicked man who awakens and recites Amitabha’s Name just prior to death.

Similarly, a monastic who does not study the Pure Land teaching and recite Amitabha’s Name, will achieve less than a householder who simply recites Amitabha’s Name.

世間真正的善是什麼？就是願生彌陀淨土、專稱彌陀佛名。一個大慈善家，如果不念佛往生，那麼，他最後還是輸給一個迴心念佛的惡人；一個惡人，最後能夠迴心念佛往生，他勝過一輩子行善的大慈善家。

同樣的，出家不學淨土法門，輸給在家；在家能學淨土法門，勝過出家。

Namo Amituofo!

May 4 2020

May 4, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge to Amitabha

皈命彌陀

For an Amitabha-reciter, nothing is more important than this Buddha’s Name. With the Buddha’s Name we have life, without it we have none. It is because, if we don’t have this Name, we will see King Yama for judgement after we die. He will send us to yet another realm of suffering!

對一個念佛人來說，沒有什麼比「南無阿彌陀佛」這句佛號更重要的了。

它的重要性，就像是我們的生命，有佛號就有我們的生命，沒這句佛號就沒有我們的生命。因為沒有了這句佛號，人死之後就會到閻羅王那裡去受審判，那就非常悲慘了。

Namo Amituofo!

May 3 2020

May 3, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land

淨土信仰

Because the Name itself is Amitabha Buddha, it has the Buddha’s power. The Name is accomplished through Amitabha’s vow power. The Name is created by the Buddha’s merit and virtues, and contains the power of those merits and virtues.

We are “self”and the Name is “other”. Our Dharma body and mind rely on the power of Amitabha’s Name to be delivered. This means we rely on “other power”.

Above all, our teaching is reliance on other power: Buddha power, Buddha’s vow power, and the power of Amitabha’s merit and virtues.

因為名號的本身就是阿彌陀佛，所以有佛力；名號的本身是彌陀的願力所成就，所以就是佛的願力；名號的本身是佛功德所成就，所以名號有功德力：我們是「自」，而名號是「他」，我們的法身慧命是靠彌陀名號的力量得救度，所以是靠「他力」。總之，我們這個法門是靠他力、佛力、願力及功德力。

Namo Amituofo!

May 2 2020

May 2, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land School: Worldly Truths

淨土宗宗風俗諦

In a group all posts are arranged to fit the abilities and interests of individuals. With these job divisions, they cooperate and perform their duties and responsibilities at different levels. So, if they can pursue their jobs 

 wholeheartedly to complete the work assigned, they will work together like a machine running smoothly in every process.

No matter what we are responsible for at a particular level, we should simplify it rather than complicate it; make it easier, rather than more difficult; and make it lighter, rather than heavier. In this way, we can deal with all matters in a relaxed manner. If we are relaxed, others will also be relaxed.

團體中都會安排各人相應的職位，所謂各安其位、各司其職而分工合作、分層負責，所以大家只要安份守己，盡心盡力，盡職盡責，就能夠像一部機器一樣，每個環節都能運作通暢。

不管自己負責哪個層面的工作，都要儘量「化繁為簡，化難為易，舉重若輕，輕鬆以對」。這樣自己輕鬆，別人也沒有壓力。

Namo Amituofo!

May 1 2020

May 1, 2020

An excerpt from the Chapter of the Meaning of the Non-meditative Virtues in the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra 

善導大師語錄

《觀經疏》〈散善義〉:

As death nears, a sinner’s mind is focused on his suffering. For this reason he cannot mentally invoke Amitabha’s name. A kind advisor is aware of his difficulty and teaches him to recite Amitabha’s Name.

罪人死苦來逼，無由得念佛名。 善友知苦失念，轉教口稱彌陀名號。

Namo Amituofo!

April 30 2020

Apr 30, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Contemplation Sutra

《佛說觀無量壽經》

With respect to the entire Contemplation Sutra, the passage about rebirth for those at the lowest level in the low tier is very important. With respect to the entire Pure Land School, the passage about rebirth for those at the lowest level in the low tier is the essence of the Pure Land School, and the ultimate meaning of Amitabha’s 18th Vow.

Only the passage on rebirth for those at the lowest level in the low tier can reveal Amitabha’s great kindness, great compassion, great vow, and great power. Among sentient beings in the ten directions, none is excluded from deliverance. By including those at the lowest level in the low tier, we are shown that all Amitabha reciters are included.

就整部《觀無量壽經》來講,下品下生的經文是非常重要的;就整個淨土宗來講,《觀經》下品下生也是淨土宗的精華,彌陀第十八願的終極意義。

唯有下品下生的經文才能顯示出阿彌陀佛真的是大慈大悲大願大力,十方眾生沒有一個在阿彌陀佛的救度之外。因此,有了下品下生就給所有的念佛人、修行人,最後、最大、最高的希望。

Namo Amituofo!