February 23 2021

Feb 23, 2021

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

淨土信仰

“The wonderful substance with a myriad of virtues is the Six-Character Name.” All of Amitabha Buddha’s abundant virtues, attained through various practices, and his inconceivably awesome paranormal powers, are contained in the Six-Character Name.

“The merit and virtues, as many as the sands of the Ganges, are fully sufficient for us to be reborn with even a single practice of oral recitation.” The merit and virtues are immeasurable and boundless, like the sands of the Ganges River; yet, we can attain them all if we exclusively recite the Name of Amitabha Buddha.

If we don’t recite Amitabha’s Name, we cannot totally possess Amitabha Buddha’s merit and virtues. Amitabha-recitation is the all-encompassing practice that includes all of his merit and virtues attained through eons of cultivation.

「萬善妙體,即六字名號」,阿彌陀佛所有的諸善萬德、不可思議的威神力,就在這六字名號中。

「恆沙功德,備口稱一行」,恆沙無量無邊的功德,只要我們專稱彌陀佛名就完全具備,毫不缺少,所以說「恆沙功德,備口稱一行」。

如果不是念彌陀名號的話,我們就不能完全擁有阿彌陀佛的恆沙功德,所以說念佛就是總修行,包含所有的修行功德在裡面。

Namo Amituofo!

February 22 2021

Feb 22, 2021

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

淨土宗宗風俗諦

As Buddhists, we should support and sponsor in accordance with our conditions and capacities. However, there is a principle – don’t feel stressed or annoyed about those actions. If you feel tense and afflicted after doing them, it is not appropriate. In such a case, it is better not to do them. If you do them, be joyful, feel worthy and needed; otherwise, you may feel afflicted and unhappy. You may even make unfavorable karmic connections with others, which is certainly not appropriate.

身為佛教徒,對於佛教也應隨緣隨分去護持,但是,有一個原則就是不自苦、不自惱。若做了之後,覺得很辛苦、懊惱,這樣就不妥當,就不需要去做;要做就做到讓自己感到喜樂,感到有價值,感到有需要,否則若做得苦苦惱惱,會使自己不安樂、不歡喜,而且也會或多或少與他人結怨,這樣就不適當了。

Namo Amituofo!

February 21 2021

Feb 21, 2021

A verse about “Tranquility in the West” from the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra

《觀經疏》「西方寂靜」之偈:

The bliss of unconditioned tranquility in the West

Is the ultimate freedom of joy beyond “existence” and “emptiness.”

The Great Compassion enriches our minds while travelling the Dharma realm,

The divided bodies are manifested to benefit sentient beings equally, with no differences.

They can appear through their paranormal power to preach the Dharma,

Or they can appear with splendid marks and goodness, in order to enable us to enter Nirvana.

The splendor can be manifested at their own discretion,

Thus, sentient beings’ karmic offenses can be cleared once they see it.

西方寂靜無為樂,畢竟逍遙離有無;

大悲薰心遊法界,分身利物等無殊。

或現神通而說法,或現相好入無餘;

變現莊嚴隨意出,群生見者罪皆除。

Namo Amituofo!

February 20 2021

Feb 20, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

(continued)

It is also the reason why we emphasize the difference between the Pure Land Path and the Sacred Path. In order to avoid confusion, we must not mix them together. By separating them, we can emphasize the difference between the Difficult Path and the Easy Path, between Other-Power and Self-Power, between the Path of Importance and the Path of the Great Vow, between the Main Practice and the Miscellaneous Practices.

It must be clear, easy-to-understand, with no ambiguity, and no compromises. We insist on these rules so we clearly know what the Pure Land Path is, and what the mixed, non-pristine Pure Land teachings are. Subsequently, we can easily and correctly manage the practice, and understand that rebirth means entering Amitabha’s Pure Land.

這也是為什麼一開始我們要強調「淨土門」與「聖道門」不同的原因,因為將它劃分開來才不會彼此模糊、混淆,甚至強調難行道、易行道,強調他力、自力,強調要門、弘願門,強調正行、雜行。

就是要清清楚楚、明明白白、毫不混淆的、毫不妥協、苟且,讓我們能夠明辨什麼才是真正的淨土之道,什麼是混雜不純的,讓我們很容易的正確掌握行持,也了解往生是進入報土。

Namo Amituofo!

February 19 2021

Feb 19, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

(continued)

Furthermore, although Master Yongming Yanshou was a practitioner of the Chan School, he did not think Chan was the ultimate teaching. This caused him to return to Pure Land teachings. However, because the forces for practicing Chan were strong at that time, the Master promoted the dual practice of Chan and Pure Land, in order to guide Chan practitioners to Pure Land teachings. In order to best guide them, he had to explain the Pure Land teaching based on the doctrines of the Chan School. It was an expedient means to match the aptitude of the practitioners at that particular time. However, because it was a mixed teaching, it is not considered pristine according to Master Shandao’s point of view.

(to be continued tomorrow)

還有,宋朝永明延壽大師是禪宗的行人,他認為禪不夠究竟,最後還是要回歸淨土,但是那個年代學禪的氣氛很濃厚,為了引導學禪的人進入淨土,所以就提倡禪淨雙修,這樣當然是以禪的教理來解釋淨土。這有時代性、契機性的方便,可是如果站在淨土法門來看,那些就不純了。

Namo Amituofo!

February 18 2021

Feb 18, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure

Land Teaching

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

(continued)

Master Shandao’s Five Works and Nine Fascicles entirely explain the Pure Land teaching based on the pristine Pure Land scriptures, while Master Zhizhe of the Tientai School made his commentary on the Contemplation Sutra based on the doctrines of the Tientai and Chan schools. In the Northern Song dynasty, a very famous master called Zhili wrote a book called “Notes on the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra” to explain Master Zhizhe’s Commentary. This was also based on the doctrinal teaching of the Tientai school. Subsequently, they regarded faith in Pure Land as part of the theology of the Tientai School.

(to be continued tomorrow)

善導大師的五部九卷完全是以淨土解釋淨土,天台智者大師也有註解《觀經疏》,不過是以天台及禪的教理來解釋;北宋非常有名的知禮大師也寫了一部《觀經疏妙宗鈔》來解釋智者大師的《觀經疏》,也是以天台的教理來解釋淨土,所以就把淨土信仰解釋成天台的思想了。

Namo Amituofo!

February 17 2021

Feb 17, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

The Shandao tradition is the most pristine and exclusive among all Pure Land teachings. However, many people interpret the Pure Land teaching based on the theories of the Sacred Path. Why is this so?

It is because the majority of people used the teachings of the Tientai and the Chan Schools to interpret the Pure Land teaching ever since the Song dynasty. As they were not exposed to the writings of Master Shandao, they did not explain the Pure Land teaching based only on the pristine Pure Land scriptures.

(to be continued tomorrow)

古往今來所有淨土法門中,善導流是最純、最專的。原因在於,很多人都是以聖道法門的理論來解釋淨土法門,為什麼會有這種情形呢?

因為自宋朝以來解釋淨土的以天台宗和禪宗為多,但是他們都沒有接觸到善導大師的著作,所以都不是以淨土來解釋淨土。

Namo Amituofo!

February 16 2021

Feb 16, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Caring for Life and a Vegetarian Diet

護生與素食

The Sutra of the Contemplation of Mind says, “All Sentient beings reincarnate within the Five Realms. During their many lives, they are each other’s parents. This means that all men are our kind fathers, and all women are our kind mothers.

It also says, “Sentient beings of various kinds reincarnate within the Six Realms, like a wheel turning unceasingly”. They are the parents and siblings of each other, and they share grace with each other life after life.

If we eat meat, we may be eating the meat of our benefactors! Isn’t it immoral to be so ungrateful?

《心地觀經》:一切眾生,輪轉五道,經百千劫,於多生中,互為父母;以互為父母故,一切男子即是慈父,一切女人即是悲母。又說:有情輪迴生六道,猶如車輪無始終;互為父母為兄弟,生生世世互有恩。既然生生世世彼此都互有恩惠,那我們沒有吃素,而去吃肉,萬一吃到他的肉,豈不是恩將仇報?

Namo Amituofo!

February 15 2021

Feb 15, 2021

慧淨上人法語

念佛警策

In accordance with the Buddha’s intention, the one who believes in rebirth through Amitabha-recitation is a wise person. He is abundant in roots of virtues and meritorious blessings, with real eyes and real ears. Conversely, the one who does not believe in rebirth through Amitabha-recitation is a foolish person, who is lacking roots of virtues and meritorious blessings, with no real eyes and no real ears. The latter will fall into the wretched realms with his last breath. The Buddha says he is a pitiful person.

依佛之意,能信念佛往生,叫作智者,有大善根大福德,是有眼人,有耳人;不信念佛往生,叫作愚者,無善根無福德,是無眼人,無耳人,一息不來,便墮惡道,佛說「可憐愍者」。

Namo Amituofo!

February 14 2021

Feb 14, 2021

慧淨上人法語

淨土信仰

(continued)

With faith in Pure Land, we believe Amitabha Buddha exists everywhere and at all times in the vast and abundant universe. However, if there were no Name, we would be unable to communicate with Amitabha. It is just like the electromagnetic waves that permeate everywhere and at all times. However, if there is no channel, no frequency, and no switch, we cannot get an online connection. So, it is said, “There is no Name if it separates from the body and there is no body if it separates from the Name”.

淨土信仰阿彌陀佛浩浩蕩蕩存在宇宙當中,無時不在、無處不在,可是若沒有這一句名號,我們就不能跟祂溝通,就好像電波無時不在、無處不在,若沒有管路、沒有頻道、沒有開關,則接不上線。所以說「體外無名,名外無體。」

Namo Amituofo!

February 13 2021

Feb 13, 2021

Master Huijing's Short Dharma teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism

慧淨上人法語

淨土信仰

“There is no Name if it is separate from the body; and there is no body if it is separate from the Name”. Amitabha’s body and his Name are always together. If it is separate from Amitabha’s body, the six-syllable Name does not exist, and there is no Amitabha Buddha if his Name is removed.

Think about it? If there is no Name, how can we connect or interact with Amitabha Buddha?

(to be continued tomorrow)

「體外無名,名外無體」,阿彌陀佛的本體還有祂的佛名是在一起的,離開了阿彌陀佛的本體就沒有六字名號,因為六字名號是本體所成的,而這句名號之外也沒有阿彌陀佛。

想想看,如果沒有這句名號的話,我們要怎樣跟阿彌陀佛接觸?要怎樣跟阿彌陀佛互動?就沒有一個對象了對不對?

Namo Amituofo!

February 12 2021

Feb 12, 2021

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

淨土宗宗風俗諦

Pure Land is a “difficult-to-speak teaching.” If we cannot speak appropriately to “skeptical’ people, there may be misunderstandings. They may think there is no need to practice the precepts, or cultivate to accumulate merit and virtues. So, if we are on the frontline to preach the Pure Land teaching, we should note: firstly, our conduct in the threefold Karma must be accredited by others; secondly, our understanding of the doctrinal teaching must be clear and thorough; and thirdly, we should have at least some general knowledge about other teachings.

淨土法門是難說之法,說得不穩妥,或不能善解的人,會誤以為是不用持戒律,或者說不必修行、不必積功累德。所以要站在前線佈教的話,第一點自己的三業行為要被肯定;第二點要教理通達;第三點其他法門多少要瞭解。

Namo Amituofo!

February 11 2021

Feb 11, 2021

Verse of Acquiring the Fruition of Nirvana from In Praise in Dharma Practice

善尊大師語錄

《法事讚》「果得涅槃」之偈:

Acquiring the fruition of eternal Nirvana,

His life will be prolonged to an immeasurable extent,

Up to thousands and millions of eons, as many as the sands in the Ganges,

And to billions and trillions of eons, which are countless and infinite.

Remaining motionless while seated,

His body can emit light, permeating everywhere without any limit.

His spirit form is real, of golden color, and contains all kinds of merit and virtues.

Sitting alone and magnificent, he delivers sentient beings.

All sacred and ordinary beings in the ten directions focus their minds on him.

He can divide and manifest his body to welcome sentient beings.

In the span of one thought, he can travel through space to attend a Buddhist assembly.

His body and life are the same as Amitabha Buddha.

果得涅槃常住世,壽命延長難可量;

千劫萬劫恒沙劫,兆載永劫亦無央。

一坐無移亦不動,徹窮後際放身光;

靈儀相好真金色,巍巍獨坐度眾生。

十方凡聖專心向,分身遣化往相迎;

一念乘空入佛會,身色壽命盡皆平。

Namo Amituofo!

February 10 2021

Feb 10, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

(continued)

Vasubandhu Bodhisattva also based his Treatise of Rebirth on the 18th Vow. He says, “Contemplate to know the power of that Buddha’s Fundamental Vow. One’s encounter with it will never be fruitless. One will be enabled to speedily attain all wishes and the great treasure ocean of virtues.”

Master Tanluan combined the teaching in the Chapter on the Easy Path with the Treatise of Rebirth. He showed us that the 18th Vow is the root of both of those teachings, as stated in his Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth. In concluding his Commentary, Master Tanluan listed the 18th Vow, the 11th Vow and the 22nd Vow as the scriptural evidence on “expediting the achievement of Buddhahood”, and to establish the doctrinal teaching of the ‘Other-Power.”

天親菩薩的《往生論》也是依據第十八願所開展出來的,所謂「觀佛本願力,遇無空過者,能令速滿足,功德大寶海」。

曇鸞大師是融合《易行品》和《往生論》的思想,然後望著《大經》第十八願為根本來解釋《往生論》,而開展出《往生論註》。所以《論註》最後結論的地方,曇鸞大師就舉出第十八願、第十一願、第二十二願這三個願作為「速得成佛」的經證,同時建立起他力的教理思想。

Namo Amituofo!

February 9 2021

Feb 9, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

From the Sung dynasty until now, most of the people who propagated the Pure Land teachings did not know much about Master Shandao’s Pure Land teaching. For this reason they failed to understand the threefold meaning of the Great Sutra. As a result, what they explained, expounded, propagated, and practiced cannot be said to be the Pristine Pure Land teaching. The source, in expounding or summarizing the Pristine Pure Land teaching, is Amitabha’s 18th Vow.

The core teaching in the Chapter on the Easy Path, by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, is also the 18th Vow. In the Chapter on the Easy Path, Nagarjuna divided the entire teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha into two main categories - one is the Difficult Path and the other is the Easy Path. Basically, the Easy Path refers to the 18th Vow. So, the core teaching of the Chapter on the Easy Path is the explanation of the 18th Vow.

從北宋一直到近代,弘揚淨土的人大多不太知道有善導大師一系的淨土教理思想,不曉得掌握《大經》三要,因此所解釋、開展、弘揚、修持的,可以說不是很純正的淨土法門。純正的淨土法門,他的根源,大開大合,都在第十八願。

龍樹菩薩《易行品》的核心也是第十八願。《易行品》將釋迦牟尼佛一代教法,概括分為「難行道」與「易行道」,易行道主要就是指第十八願,所以《易行品》的核心就是第十八願的解釋之文。

Namo Amituofo!

February 8 2021

Feb 8, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Caring for Life and a Vegetarian Diet

護生與素食

The most precious thing in the world is life. If we don’t have a healthy body and long life, gold and precious metals are meaningless. Conversely, if we can restore our health and lengthen our lives, it is worthwhile for us to pay large amounts of gold and precious metals. The most precious thing in the world is life!

The most miserable thing in the world is killing. We recite Amitabha’s Name to keep ourselves safe from disasters, enrich our blessings, and extend our longevity. Moreover, we should not kill and protect the lives of sentient beings.

世間最寶貴的就是生命,如果沒有健康的身體,長壽的生命,再多的黃金白銀對你來講都沒意義,反之,如果能夠贖回生命,付出再多的黃金白銀都值得,因為世間上最寶貴的就是生命。天下最悲慘的就是殺生,所以我們念佛讓自己消災免難、增福延壽,也要不殺生,應該保護眾生的生命。

Namo Amituofo!

February 7 2021

Feb 7, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouraging the practice of Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Pure Land is a difficult-to-believe teaching. If we do not realize the benefits of Amitabha-recitation, our minds will be unsteady and incomplete, and people may misunderstand when we introduce the teaching.

淨土法門是難信之法,如果我們體會不到念佛的好處,心裡就不踏實,講出來的不圓滿,就容易令人誤解。

Namo Amituofo!

February 6 2021

Feb 6, 2021

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

淨土信仰

“Namo Amituofo” is the Great Name of Myriad Virtues. It forms one inseparable entity with Amitabha Buddha’s body. Thus, “the Name is exactly the same as the Dharma.” When we mention the Name – Namo Amituofo, or recite the Name – Namo Amituofo, it includes the entire meaning and the functional power of the Name. So, each time the Name is mentioned, its meaning is in effect.”

Thus, when we explain the connotations of Amitabha’s Name, we are explaining the Name itself. Hence we are taught, “When we take the meaning of the Name, it is the Name itself.”

南無阿彌陀佛這句萬德洪名,跟阿彌陀佛的佛體本身是一體不離、一體不二的,所以說「名與法即」,當我們引用這句南無阿彌陀佛,稱念這句南無阿彌陀佛的佛名,也同時涵蓋這句名號的意義,也同時擁有了這句名號意義裡面的功能,所以說「舉名即義」。

那麼引用說明這句彌陀名號的內容本身,同時也是在說明這一句名號、也是在引用這一句名號,所以說「取義即名」。

Namo Amituofo!

February 5 2021

Feb 5, 2021

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

淨土宗宗風俗諦

The text about the exclusion of, “those who commit the five Gravest Transgressions and slander the Dharma”, reveals the inclusion of all sentient beings with different aptitudes. It also reminds people to have filial piety for their parents, to love their siblings, and be kind to relatives and neighbors. As Buddhists trying to lead moral lives, we strive to avoid doing evil and to practice good deeds.

The passage about the Five Kinds of Evil, in the lower fascicle of the Great Sutra, explains this teaching: It teaches us that the 18th Vow and the entire Great Sutra fully cover both ultimate and worldly truth.

第十八願「唯除逆謗」之文,顯明不漏群機之外,亦是誡人孝順父母,友愛兄弟,和睦親鄰等綱常倫理、去惡行善之意。

《大經》下卷五惡段之文,即是具體說明此意。故第十八願及整部《大經》圓說真諦與俗諦,無遺無缺也。

Namo Amituofo!

February 4 2021

Feb 4, 2021

A verse about ‘entering nirvana through Amitabha-recitation’ from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

《般舟讚》「念佛涅槃」之偈:

Amitabha-recitation is the gateway to Nirvana.

念佛即是涅槃門

Namo Amituofo!

February 3 2021

Feb 3, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

The patriarchal lineage of the Pure Land Teaching and their major works are: The Chapter on the Easy Path by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, the Treatise on Rebirth by Vasubandhu Bodhisattva, the Collection on Peace and Joy by Master Daochuo, and the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra by Master Shandao.

Though these five patriarchs were born in different places at different times, they commonly expound the doctrinal teachings of Pure Land, based on the Three Pure Land Sutras, and especially the 18th Vow – Vow on Rebirth through Amitabha-recitation. All of their works, whether in expounding, explaining, or summarizing, are based on the 18th Vow.

淨土宗祖師的傳承與著作,主要就是:龍樹菩薩的《易行品》、天親菩薩的《往生論》、曇鸞祖師的《往生論註》、道綽禪師的《安樂集》、善導大師的《觀經疏》。

這五位祖師雖然出生的地方和時間各自不同,但是共同的,都是依據淨土三部經,尤其是《無量壽經》的第十八願——「念佛往生願」開展淨土宗義。這五位祖師這方面的著作,開展出去的,以及收合回來的,都是依據第十八願。

Namo Amituofo!

February 2 2021

Feb 2, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Truth of Impermanence

諸行無常

Death always awaits us. So, it doesn’t matter if we know nothing about the afterlife; but, it matters if we cannot be reborn in the Pure Land of Bliss. Above all, rebirth should be our top priority.

無常時時刻刻在我們的身邊等著,所以,不怕我們什麼都不懂,只怕我們不能往生極樂淨土;總之一切以先往生為要。

Namo Amituofo!

February 1 2021

Feb 1, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouraging the practice of Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Genuinely aspire to be reborn and exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name. Once our minds are made up, a lotus flower appears in its physical form in the Pure Land. “Genuinely aspire to be reborn” means sincerely aspire, from the bottom of our hearts, to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land. Do not merely mouth the words. If you wish to be reborn now; but, when your wife or husband asks you to stay, (near the end of life), you tell Amitabha, I don’t want to go now. If I follow you now, how will my wife or husband manage?” This is not regarded as genuine aspiration.

真願往生,專稱佛名,其心決定,淨土蓮華,現其色相。「真願往生」,是真的打從內心願往生彌陀淨土,而不是口頭上說說而已。如果現在願往生,可是臨終的時候,被丈夫或被太太一留戀,就說:「阿彌陀佛,我不想去了,如果跟您去的話,我太太怎麼辦?我先生怎麼辦?」那就不是真的願往生了。

Namo Amituofo!

January 31 2021

Jan 31, 2021

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

淨土信仰

Amitabha Buddha’s power of the Fundamental Vow is Amitabha Buddha’s Buddha-power, vow-power. The power of merit and virtues, and the power to deliver sentient beings with his great compassion and great equality.

阿彌陀佛的本願力,就是阿彌陀佛的佛力、願力、功德力,救度眾生的大慈悲、大平等之力。

Namo Amituofo!

January 30 2021

Jan 30, 2021

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

淨土宗宗風俗諦

Among afflicted sentient beings who come across the teaching of Amitabha’s deliverance, if they can rouse the pure mind of aspiration despite their afflicted minds (as said by Master Shandao), they can stay relaxed, calm, and peaceful no matter how afflicted they are. They also enjoy ordinary, simple, level, plain, and steady living.

Ordinary – living like ordinary beings. As a householder, live as a householder; as a monastic, live as a monastic. Simply do whatever you should do, and always recite Amitabha’s Name as a slow-witted being.

Simple and level - don’t seek for mystery, profundity, or sophistication. Don’t aim for a sagely realm, or try to inflate ordinary matters to a sacred level.

Plain – Don’t pursue a magnificent, brilliant, noisy, excited, and passionate life. Just keep it simple and common.

Steady – Maintain steadiness, reality, stability, calmness, harmony, and joy in your ordinary daily life.

煩惱的眾生面對彌陀的救度,如果能夠像善導大師所講「在煩惱的心中生起清淨的願生之心」的話,即使再怎樣的煩惱苦惱,但是內心卻是安詳、平靜、平和、祥和的,過著一種平凡、平常、平淡、平實的生活。

平凡:做一個平凡的人,過一般凡人的生活,在家則在家,出家則出家,男則男,女則女;安份守己,安愚念佛。

平常:不尋奇特迥異,不求高深玄妙,不高攀聖境,不以凡濫聖。

平淡:不求絢麗的、多彩多姿的、熱鬧的、激情的,只是平淡無奇。

平實:相對於不平凡、不平常、不平淡來說, 平凡、平常、平淡,反而讓人感覺踏實、實在、安穩,寧靜、祥和、愉悅。

Namo Amituofo!

January 29 2021

Jan 29, 2021

A verse about “Entering the door of Nirvana” from “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

《法事讚》「入涅槃門」之偈:

With mental dedication to being reborn in the Pure Land, in every single thought

Until the end of life. We will enter that door of Nirvana.

念念迴心生淨土,畢命入彼涅槃門。

Namo Amituofo!

January 28 2021

Jan 28, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure

Land School

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

(continued)

We do not follow the Cimin tradition either, and do not regard Master Cimin as a patriarch of our school. This is because the practices of the Cimin tradition are mixed. They do not practice “exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name”; but, their teachings are fused with the theoretical teachings and precepts of Chan.. As their path is not pristine, it does not match the aptitudes and practice of the Pristine Pure Land School.

Only the Shandao tradition is based completely on the Three Sutras of the pristine Pure Land School, and matches the specified aptitudes and the teaching. Subsequently, rebirth is assured as long as we recite Amitabha’s Name. “Matching teaching” refers to the teaching based on Amitabha Buddha’s 18th Vow, and “matching aptitude” refers to all common sentient beings.”

我們也不依「慈愍流」,不以慈愍大師為我們的祖師。因為慈愍流的修行方法是融合性的,融合禪、教、戒律,不是純粹「專稱彌陀佛名」,由於不純粹,我們也修不起來,既不應機也不契法。

唯有善導大師是純粹依據淨土的經典,契法契機,只要稱名必定往生。「契法」是依據阿彌陀佛第十八願的這個法,「契機」是普遍的眾生都能夠往生。

Namo Amituofo!