June 16, 2023

Jun 16, 2023

General Confusions and Misunderstandings regarding Rebirth by Amitabha-Reciters - By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#4 - “The Land of Bliss is a place where only superior virtuous people can be reborn. If you are not a virtuous person, you cannot be reborn there by Amitabha-recitation.”?!

Comment: (continued)

In the Dharma-Ending Age, those people who can uphold the precepts and only practice good are few. If upholding the Five Precepts and the Ten Wholesome Deeds are added as conditions for rebirth, many people will be excluded from Amitabha Buddha’s deliverance, and it could no longer be considered the Easy Path . Actually, the Five Precepts and the Ten Wholesome Deeds are the teachings for those who wish to be reborn as human and celestial beings.

However, those who are able to ascend to the celestial realm are as rare as the horn of a phoenix; but, those who fall into the Three Wretched Realms are as many as the hairs of a cow. This is because not many people can uphold the precepts and practice only good. However, rebirth in the western Land of Bliss with recourse to the power of Amitabha Buddha’s vow, is easier than becoming human beings in the next life. So, Master Yinguang said, “There are two things that are easiest in this world - one is attaining assured rebirth in the West, and the other

is falling into hell.

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其四: “極樂世界是諸上善人聚會的地方,你不是善人念佛也不能去。” 真的嗎?

答:(續上)

末法時代,持戒行善者少,如果增加五戒十善的條件才可以往生,就有很多人排除在阿彌陀佛的救度之外,就不是最容易的法門。

五戒十善是人天道法,來生做人升天者少如鳳角,墮落三途者多如牛毛,就是因為人多不能持戒行善。而靠阿彌陀佛的願力往生西方極樂世界比來世做人容易,所以印光大師就說:這個世界有兩件事最容易,一個是生西方,一個是墮地獄。

Namo Amituofo!

June 15, 2023

Jun 15, 2023

Widespread sources of Confusion and Misunderstandings regarding Rebirth by Amitabha-Reciters - By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#4 - “The Land of Bliss is a place where only superior virtuous people can be reborn. If you are not a virtuous person, you cannot go there through Amitabha-recitation.” Is this true?

Comment:

This is a misinterpretation of the meaning of the Sutra. “The good man and woman” mentioned in the Amitabha Sutra refers to all people who recite Amitabha’s Name. Master Shandao says, “those people who recite Amitabha’s Name are - good people , wonderful people, supreme people, rare people, and the most splendid people among all mankind” (five kinds of

compliments).

Amitabha Buddha says you can come to the Land of Bliss as long as you recite his Name with faith and aspiration. If we add perfecting “the Five Precepts and the Ten Wholesome Deeds”, we are opposing Amitabha Buddha’s instructions. If only good people can be reborn, the passages on rebirth for those in the three levels in the low tiers will become a joke! This violates the original intent of Shakyamuni Buddha and the primal vow of Amitabha Buddha.

(to be continued tomorrow)

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其四: “極樂世界是諸上善人聚會的地方,你不是善人念佛也不能去。” 真的嗎?

答:

這是錯解經義。《阿彌陀經》裏講的“善男子善女人”即是念佛之人。善導大師說:若念佛者,即是人中好人,人中妙好人,人中上上人,人中稀有人,人中最勝人也(五種嘉譽)。

阿彌陀佛說只要你信願持名念佛,就能到極樂世界來。如果我們再增加一個“五戒十善”的條件,就是和阿彌陀佛唱對臺戲。如果必須是善人才可以去,那麼《觀經》下品三生就成了無稽之談。這種認識違背了釋迦牟尼佛的本意和阿彌陀佛的本願。

(再續)

Namo Amituofo!

June 14, 2023

Jun 14, 2023

The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao

善導大師

Master Shandao was able to synthesize the Pure Land teachings and form a school by presenting it in a way that was so systematic and well organized that people could easily see the method of attaining rebirth - the Five Primary Practices. People don’t find it difficult to

comprehend or that its meanings are ambiguous. Master Shandao’s synthesization set the precedent. Master Daochuo, Master Shandao’s teacher, and Master Tanluan, whom Master Daochuo followed, contributed a great deal and played important roles in the Pure Land

lineage; but, the synthesizer was undoubtedly Master Shandao.

善導大師之所以能夠開展一個宗門出來,就是因為他將淨土法門做有系統、條理性的組織,讓人很淺易的就能夠一眼看出往生的方法──五正行,而不會覺得艱澀,或模稜兩可。善導大師這種開展可以說是前無古人,後無來者,當然他的師父道綽禪師以及道綽禪師所依止的曇鸞大師,對於淨土法門已經有所發揮和開展了,可是集大成者卻是在善導大師。

Namo Amituofo!

June 13, 2023

Jun 13, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Paths (of Importance and the Great Vow)

要弘二門判

There are two aspects of Amitabha-recitation practice, explicit and implicit. “Explicit” refers to the non-meditative and meditative virtues. “Implicit” refers to “neither meditative nor non-meditative virtues”. Why does “explicit” refer to meditative virtues and non-meditative virtues? It is because the merit and virtues contained in a single recitation of Amitabha’s Name contain all of the merit and virtues attained through meditative and non-meditative virtues.

That is, the merit and virtues contained in a single recitation of Amitabha’s Name is the same as that of the myriad of practices of the Six Paramitas. It is called “a myriad of practices in one.”

From the text of the Contemplation Sutra, it seems Amitabha-recitation is equal to the meditative and non-meditative virtues. However, if we look at it further, and from the perspective of the end of the Contemplation Sutra , the merit and virtues of Amitabha-recitation transcend that of the meditative and non-meditative virtues, and the merit and virtues of the Three Meritorious Deeds in the Nine Levels. So, they are said to be “neither meditative nor non-meditative virtues”.

念佛有顯、有隱,「顯」是指「散善」或「定善」;「隱」是指「非定非散」。

為什麼說「顯」是指「定善」跟「散善」呢?就是把這一句彌陀名號的功德當作是定善的功德或散善的功德,也就將這一句名號的功德看成與六度萬行是相同的,這叫「萬行隨一」。

從《觀經》的字面來看,念佛似乎和定善、散善是同等的,可是如果進一步從《觀經》最後的宗旨來看,《觀經》所講的念佛功德是超越定、散,也就是超越三福九品的功德,所以說「非定非散」。

Namo Amituofo!

June 12, 2023

Jun 12, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

We live our lives Alone and No One else can live them for us.

(continued)

When we reach our near end-of-life retribution, we have to bear it alone. It doesn’t matter if we go to a place of suffering, happiness, good or evil. No one can substitute for you, as it is impossible to replace one with another. This is known as self-retribution resulting from self-cause, or having to bear the consequences of what we do. Only Amitabha Buddha can bear the heavy burden of our karma, and deliver us from reincarnation in the Six Realms.

Thus, among the 84,000 teachings, there isn’t one single teaching that can find a replacement to reincarnate for us in the cycle of birth-and-death. Only Amitabha’s teaching of deliverance enables us to be liberated from the cycle of birth-and-death. 

身獨不相代

當臨終受果報的時候,不管是到苦的地方,還是到樂的地方,是善道還是惡道,都要自己去承擔,沒有人可以替代,即使想替代也替代不得,這就是 「自因自果」「自作自受」。除非是阿彌陀佛來承擔我們罪業的重擔、救度我們免於輪迴。

所以,八萬四千無量法門,除了彌陀救度的法門能夠使我們脫離生死輪迴之外,沒有一個法門、沒有一個人能夠代替我們的生死輪迴。

Namo Amituofo!

June 11, 2023

Jun 11, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

We live our lives alone and no one else can live them for us

The Infinite Life Sutra says, “In the midst of worldly desires and attachments, one comes and goes alone, is born alone and dies alone. After death, one goes to a painful or pleasant state of existence. Each receives his karmic consequences and no one else can take his place.”

Because of the cravings caused by the Five Desires, people in this world always live in the grasp of their sensual desires. We actually “come alone and go alone, are born alone and die alone”.

This indicates that it is not just living alone and dying alone; but, when we die we are reborn alone and again live alone.

(to be continued tomorrow)

身獨不相代

《無量壽經》言:

人在世間,愛欲之中,獨生獨死,獨去獨來。

當行至趣,苦樂之地,身自當之,無有代者。

人在這個世間,因為貪圖五欲,所以都在「愛欲之中」,但其實都是「獨生獨死,獨去獨來」—— 這並不表示我們死的時候才是獨死、才是獨去,連我們生的時候,也是獨生獨來。

Namo Amituofo!

June 10, 2023

Jun 10, 2023

A Verse about Compassionate Advice and Cautions - quoted from “In Praise of Dharma Practice” by Master Shandao

善導大師《法事讚》慈悲勸誡

The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned nirvana; It’s hard to be reborn there by practicing assorted virtues according to circumstances.

Tathagata selected the key method. He taught us to recite Amitabha’s name with two-fold exclusivity.

He recited for seven days and seven nights without interruption. He always practiced for long periods of time.

A multitude of sacred beings, holding lotus flowers, appeared when he was near the end-of-life.

He was so physically and mentally excited that he jumped upon a golden lotus altar and sat upon its throne.

Once he was seated, he attained the perseverance of no-birth. He was welcomed by Amitabha Buddha within one thought.

極樂無為涅槃界,隨緣雜善恐難生;

故使如來選要法,教念彌陀專復專。

七日七夜心無間,長時起行倍皆然;

臨終聖眾持華現,身心踴躍坐金蓮。

坐時即得無生忍,一念迎將至佛前;

法侶將衣競來著,證得不退入三賢。

Namo Amituofo!

June 9, 2023

Jun 9, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Impermanence

慧淨法師之無常法語

The perception of impermanence is the beginning of the Bodhi Mind (aspiration to Enlightenment).

一切正念中,念死最尊貴。

Namo Amituofo!

June 8, 2023

Jun 8, 2023

General Confusions and Misunderstandings about Rebirth by Amitabha-Reciters - By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#3. “Without performing good deeds and accumulating virtues, how can you be reborn by mere Amitabha-recitation?” Is this true?

Comment: (continued)

This Name includes the infinite functions of Amitabha’s merit and virtues. The flawed virtues and blessings attained through self-power practices, such as good deeds, are limited and negligible. The recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s Name bestows abundant roots of virtues and meritorious blessings.

The belief that “By comprehensively performing good deeds and accumulating virtues in the mundane world, we can increase the merit and virtues of our Amitabha-recitation, and have a greater chance of attaining rebirth” is wrong. It does not comply with the ideology of the Pure Land teaching of Master Shandao.

Here’s the verse:

The inability to perfectly practice the Five Precepts and Ten Wholesome Deeds causes people to remain in the Three Wretched Realms.

Sravakas and Pratyekabuddhas are not Mahayana practitioners.

Bodhisattvas have not perfected a myriad of virtuous practices.

For these reasons, they are regarded as “having few virtues” as compared to those gained by reciting the Six-Syllable Name.

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其三: “不行善積德,光念佛怎麼能往生?” 真的嗎?

答:(續上)

這個名號裏包括了無窮無盡的功德妙用,自力行善積德的有漏福德總是微乎其微的,念阿彌陀佛的名號才是“多善根福德因緣”。

那種認為“多多在世間行善積德,能增加念佛的功德,從而往生更有把握。”的認識是錯誤的,是不符合善導大師的淨土思想的。

五戒十善滯三途,聲聞緣覺非大乘,

菩薩萬行未圓滿,較之六字皆少德。

Namo Amituofo!

June 7, 2023

Jun 7, 2023

General Confusions and Misunderstandings about Rebirth by Amitabha-Reciters - By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#3. “Without performing good deeds and accumulating virtues, how can you be reborn by merely relying upon Amitabha-recitation?” Is this really true?

Comment:

People who do not understand the merit and virtues within the Buddha’s name are still inclined to self-power cultivation. Amitabha Buddha took 5 eons to conceptualize it and countless eons of practice to accumulate the perfect and complete merit and virtues within his Six-Syllable Name.

Amitabha Buddha shares his Name with us and says, “These are my unsurpassed merits and virtues that I cultivated and accomplished for you. By accepting them, you can free yourself from Samsara within the Three Domains and the Six Realms, and directly realize the fruition of unsurpassed, equal and perfect Enlightenment.”

It is similar to hardworking parents who give their child a check in the amount of their total savings and say, “My dear child, this is a symbol of our deepest love for you. You should keep it and use it well.” Upon receiving the check, the child possesses all of the rewards of his parents’ hard work over decades.

(to be continued tomorrow)

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其三: “不行善積德,光念佛怎麼能往生?” 真的嗎?

答:這種想法還是偏重自力修行,不瞭解佛號的功德妙用。阿彌陀佛他是經過了五劫思維和兆載永劫、不可思議長時間的難行苦行、種種的修行,圓滿修成了一切功德,就把它濃縮在六字名號裏面,交給你,說:“這個就是我為你修成的無上功德,你拿到之後,就可以免除三界六道的輪回,可以直證無上正等正覺的果位。”

就好像父母千辛萬苦掙了一筆萬貫家產,把它濃縮在一張小支票裏邊說:“兒啊,這個就是父母的一份愛心給你,你好好地保存、好好地受用。”這個孩子得到父母的支票,他就擁有了父母幾十年的心血、血汗,都在這裏面。

(再續)

Namo Amituofo!

May 28, 2023

May 28, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Paths (of Importance and the Great Vow)

要弘二門判

In the beginning of his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, Master Shandao explicitly delineates the methods for attaining rebirth in the Land of Bliss, the Path of Importance and the Path of the Great Vow.

The Path of Importance teaches techniques for calming one’s emotions through focusing one’s mind, and thereby eliminating evil and nurturing goodness. To calm one’s emotions through focusing one’s mind is a meditative approach. Eliminating evil actions and encouraging goodness are non-meditative virtues. To dedicate the merit attained through these practices and aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss is the Path of Importance.

On the Path of the Great Vow we rely upon the karmic power of Amitabha Buddha’s 18th Vow as our augmentative cause, as said in the Infinite Life Sutra.

善導大師的《觀經四帖疏》開宗明義就說《觀經》對於往生極樂世界的方法,有分「要門」和「弘願」。

「要門」是息慮凝心以及廢惡修善,「息慮凝心」就是「定善」,「廢惡修善」就是「散善」,把這兩門的功德用來迴向往生極樂,這稱為「要門」。

另一種是「弘願」,「弘願」是《無量壽經》第十八願所講的,意即靠阿彌陀佛的大願業力為念佛的增上緣。

Namo Amituofo!

June 6, 2023

Jun 6, 2023

The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao

善導大師

Master Shandao is the synthesizer of the Pure Land teaching, and well-known as an incarnation of Amitabha. A beam of light emitted from his mouth with every recitation of Amitabha’s Name.

Every syllable of Amitabha’s Name is encircled by his light. Master Shandao’s explanation of the 18th Vow is very concise and precise, full of masterful insights and inspiring words. All of his sentences reveal the Buddha’s compassionate mind, and all of his words emit light.

If, when I achieve Buddhahood, sentient beings of the ten directions who wish to be reborn in my land and recite my name, even ten times, should fail to be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.

Today Amitabha is before us, having achieved Buddhahood. We should know that his Fundamental Vow has been unequivocally fulfilled. If sentient beings recite his name, they will certainly be reborn in the Land of Bliss.

This 48-word explanation of Amitabha’s 18th Vow is the foundation of the Pure Land School. It is the benchmark, anywhere in the world and in any period of time. Following it, one hundred out of one hundred and one thousand out of one thousand can be reborn. Discarding it, it is difficult for even one or two out of a hundred, or three or four out of a thousand to be reborn.

善導大師是淨土法門的集大成者,世稱「彌陀化身」;每念佛一聲,便有一道光明從其口出,聲聲佛號,聲聲光明。善導大師對第十八願(本願)有非常簡明扼要,立論堅確不移,語出警悟十方,句句顯佛悲心,字字皆放光明的解釋。

若我成佛,十方眾生,稱我名號,下至十聲,若不生者,不取正覺;彼佛今現,在世成佛,當知本誓,重願不虛,眾生稱念,必得往生。

此「四十八字願成釋」可謂淨宗宗憲,放之四海皆準,俟之百代不惑。依此,百即百生、千即千生;捨此,百中難得一二,千中難得三五。

Namo Amituofo!

June 5, 2023

Jun 5, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Paths (of Importance and the Great Vow)

要弘二門判

(continued)

Among those sentient beings who rely upon the karmic power of Amitabha’s Great Vow, it is not necessary to add anything more. All sentient beings are equally reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land with recourse to Amitabha’s Buddha-power. Once reborn, they can remove their conditioned “shells” (bodies), composed of unreal good and evil karma.

As we see, rebirth and becoming a Buddha do not rely upon our own merit, virtues, or skills; but, totally rely upon the power of Amitabha’s vow. Understanding this, we should change our focus on deliverance to fully relying upon Amitabha’s vow power. There is no need to endlessly worry whether our self-powered credentials are adequate!

既然都是仰靠彌陀大願業力,則善凡夫有功德並不加多,惡凡夫沒功德也不減少,一切眾生都一樣乘托彌陀佛力平等地進入彌陀淨土;到了彌陀淨土,都同時蛻脫善惡不實的假殼,現出真如實相的法身。

所以,往生成佛不是靠自己的功德、功夫,完全是靠彌陀的願力,因此我們應該調轉眼光,著眼於彌陀願力的救度,而不是檢討反問自力的功德資糧累積夠了沒有。

Namo Amituofo!

June 4, 2023

Jun 4, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Paths (of Importance and the Great Vow)

要弘二門判

The Path of Importance includes the thirteen meditative contemplations - to calm one’s anxieties by reducing the activity of the mind, and the Three Meritorious Deeds in the Nine Levels, in order to eliminate evil and nurture goodness, as said in the Contemplation Sutra. The practitioner has to dedicate these two kinds of merits and virtues, and aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss.

Master Shandao made a sharp turn regarding the Pure Land Teachings , when he clarified the meaning of Amitabha’s Great Vow by teaching “All good and evil ordinary beings will be unable to attain rebirth [in the Pure Land] without relying upon the karmic power of Amitabha’s Great Vow.”

This means that, no matter whether referring to meditative or non-meditative virtues, a person’s rebirth does not rely upon his own skills. It totally relies upon Amitabha’s great vows, great practices, and great power.

It doesn’t matter whether one is a good ordinary being with merit and virtues, or an evil ordinary being without merit and virtues; he can only be reborn with recourse to the karmic power of Amitabha's Great Vow. If it weren’t for the karmic power of Amitabha’s Great Vow, neither evil people nor good people could be reborn.

(to be continued tomorrow)

所謂「要門」,就是《觀經》中「息慮凝心」的十三種定觀,以及「廢惡修善」的三福九品,將所修的這兩種功德,迴向往生極樂世界。

可是善導大師筆鋒一轉,什麼是「弘願」呢?——「一切善惡凡夫得生者,莫不皆乘阿彌陀佛大願業力為增上緣也。」

意思是說,不管定善也好,散善也好,他的往生既不是靠定善的功夫,也不是靠散善的功德,而是靠阿彌陀佛的大願、大業、大力。不管善凡夫有功德也好,惡凡夫無功德也好,只要有彌陀的大願業力,就能夠往生;如果沒有彌陀的大願業力,惡凡夫不能往生,善凡夫也不能往生。

Namo Amituodo!

June 3, 2023

Jun 3, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

Nothing in this world is lastingly joyful

The Infinite Life Sutra says, “A life of addiction to desires or a life of extravagance and vainglory cannot last long. All must part; there is nothing you can lastingly enjoy.”

No matter how deep the worldly love, extravagance or richness are, they are just a matter of causal conditions.They all exist temporarily. When the time arrives all that exists will disperse. When a person feels very happy, he will suffer more when that emotion disappears. So, we should understand that this is the reality of this world, and know that only the Land of Bliss is the ultimate joy.

一切無可樂

《無量壽經》言:

愛欲榮華,不可常保,皆當別離,無可樂者。

世間的恩愛再深,擁有再多的榮華富貴,也都只是一時因緣和合,暫時性的存在,非永遠不變真實,故不能長久保留,時間一到,都會各自離散而去。人愈是享樂,因緣離散時愈是痛苦。所以,要瞭解世間本來如此,唯有極樂世界才是究竟可樂的。

Namo Amituofo!

June 2, 2023

Jun 2, 2023

A Verse about Compassionate Advice and Cautions quoted from “In Praise of Dharma Practice” by Master Shandao

善導大師《法事讚》慈悲勸誡

By singling out Sariputra [in the Amitabha Sutra], Shakyamuni Tathagata is actually addressing all suffering sentient beings.

The Six Realms in the Land of Saha are neither safe nor peaceful as a permanent residence. All ordinary beings there keep moving aimlessly in darkness, like an endless nightmare.

Though sacred and ordinary beings live together in the Land of Saha, they do not recognize each other. Becoming easily angered , people constantly fight and commit other offenses due to ignorance.

Because of their ignorance, they lose their freedom and must endlessly remain in the Six Realms. When can they treat each other equally and wisely discriminate between love and hatred, superiority and inferiority?

They have no virtuous karma to eliminate the suffering of birth-and-death, and they are

unaware of the retribution they will receive resulting from their greed.

Those beings in the animal realm and Three Wretched Realms, who have the body of an ass wrapped within a human skin , will automatically be reborn without doubt.

Upon hearing this we are so sad that our hearts are broken. We vow to renounce all worldly glories immediately.

釋迦如來告身子,即是普告苦眾生,

娑婆六道非安處,冥冥長夜闇中行。

聖化同居不相識,動生瞋毒鬥無明;

為此無明繫六道,愛憎高下何時平。

既無善業排生死,由貪造罪未心驚;

犯此人皮裹驢骨,三塗自入不須爭。

我等聞之心髓痛,誓願頓捨世間榮。

Namo Amituofo!

June 1, 2023

Jun 1, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Impermanence

慧淨法師之無常法語

The perception of impermanence is the beginning of the Bodhi Mind (aspiration to Enlightenment).

無常觀是菩提心之始。

Namo Amituofo!

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

General Confusions and Misunderstandings by Amitabha-Reciters in regard to Rebirth By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#2 “If you don’t recite Sutras and Dharani to clear your karmic obstructions, you cannot be reborn even by Amitabha-recitation.” Is this true?

Comment: (continued)

One ought to know that Amitabha’s Name is omnipresent, and comprised of infinite light and infinite life. It cannot be further enriched, even by all other Buddhas. The Name contains all sutras and mantras. If we think “it is probably insufficient”, we are only needlessly confusing our minds. Being complicated, non-exclusive and non-pristine, is a sign that our faith is not yet deep. It reflects a lack of understanding and a mind of doubt.

Our School sometimes refers to “rebirth bearing karma”, and sometimes to “rebirth with karma eradicated”. According to the teachings of Master Shandao, it should be “rebirth with karma eliminated”. In the Contemplation Sutra, it says, “By reciting one single Name – Namo Amituofo, the offenses causing birth-and-death for 8 billion eons will be eliminated.” Amitabha Buddha appears and says, “You are a good man! Because you recite my Name, all of your offenses are eliminated. Now, I am transporting you to my Pure Land”. This is known as “rebirth with karma eliminated”.

Master Yinguang also had an explanation, which is quite easy to understand. He said, “Our karmic offenses are like snowflakes, while Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Bliss is like a huge furnace. The snowflake carrying our karma immediately disappears when it gets close to the furnace. So, as soon as we arrive in the Pure Land of Bliss, all of our karmic offenses are gone. This explanation is the same as that of Master Shandao.

Whether it is “rebirth bearing karma” or “rebirth with karma eradicated”, it is a matter for Amitabha Buddha. If it is carried, it is Amitabha Buddha who carries it for us, because it is too heavy for us to manage. If it disappears, it is not because our karmic obstructions are eradicated by our own efforts in refraining from greed, hatred and delusion; but, because of Amitabha Buddha’s Name in the form of light.

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其二: “不念經咒消業障,念佛也不能往生。”真的嗎?

答:(續上)

須知阿彌陀佛這句名號是貫通天地的、無量光、無量壽的名號,連諸佛都不能增加,這個名號裏面什麼經咒都有,如果覺得“可能還有所不足”的話,這樣,我們的心就是雜。有雜、不專、不純一,就是信仰不深入,就是不瞭解,就是懷疑心,這樣往生不定。

我們淨土法門或說“帶業往生”,或說“消業往生”。如果依善導大師的思想是“滅罪往生”。《觀經》裏邊就講:稱念一句南無阿彌陀佛,能夠除滅八十億劫生死之罪。阿彌陀佛顯現出來就跟他說:“善男子,以汝稱佛名故,諸罪消滅,我來迎汝。”所以是“滅罪往生”。

印光大師他也有解釋,很好懂,他說:我們的罪業像一片雪花,阿彌陀佛極樂淨土像一個大冶洪爐。我們的罪業、這片雪花的罪業,還沒有接近這個洪爐,當下在空中就化掉、沒有了。所以,我們到極樂世界,一旦到達淨土,所有的罪業沒有了、消失掉了──這跟善導大師的解釋也是一樣的。

不管是“帶業往生”,還是“消業往生”,這個都是阿彌陀佛的事情,如果講“帶業”,也是阿彌陀佛為我們帶,我們帶不動。如果講“消業”,也不是我們自己做到沒有貪嗔癡了、業障消除了,還是阿彌陀佛這句名號──光明名號,消除我們的罪業。

Namo Amituofo!

May 30, 2023

May 30, 2023

General Confusions and Misunderstandings by Amitabha-Reciters in regard to Rebirth By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#2 - “If you don’t recite the Sutras and Dharani to clear your karmic obstructions, you cannot be reborn even by Amitabha-recitation.” Is this true?

Comment:

Rebirth only depends upon the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name with faith and aspiration. It does not rely upon the aspirant’s ability to eradicate his own karma. Even if it is eradicated, it is solely through the power of the Buddha’s Name. Moreover, for eradication of karmic obstructions, the power of Amitabha-recitation is far greater than that of Sutra-recitation.

Sutras and mantras that are recited by householders - the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Ksitigarbha Sutra, the Chapter on the Universal Door in the Lotus Sutra, the Amitabha Sutra, the Infinite Life Sutra, the Chapter on Amitabha-Recitation by Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta in the Surangama Sutra, the Chapter on the Practices and Vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra in the Flower Adornment Sutra, the Mantra of Great Compassion, the Mantra of Rebirth, the Mantra of Vajrasattva, etc.

Recitations result in merit and virtues that can eradicate karmic obstructions; but, none of them is greater in merit and virtues, or more powerful for eradication of negative karma than that of Amitabha-recitation. The Contemplation Sutra says, “By hearing the twelve divisions of the Sutras, karmic offenses for a thousand eons are cleared, however, by reciting the Buddha’s Name just once, karmic offenses for 5 billion eons are immediately cleared.

When practicing Amitabha-recitation there is no need to add sutras and mantras, even if one feels Amitabha-recitation is insufficient. One should not think that reciting a sutra can enhance the merit and virtues of the Name. All of these are mistaken understandings.

(to be continued tomorrow)

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其二 - “不念經咒消業障,念佛也不能往生。” 真的嗎?

答:往生靠的是信願持名念佛,不靠消業往生,即使消業也是靠佛號的力量。即使消業障,念佛也比念經念咒的力量大。

居士們常念誦的經咒有《心經》、《金剛經》、《地藏經》、《法華經普門品》、《阿彌陀經》、《無量壽經》、《楞嚴經勢至念佛章》、《華嚴經普賢行願品》、《大悲咒》、《往生咒》、《金剛薩埵心咒》等等。

念誦它們都有功德,都能消業障,但是都沒有念佛的功德大,消的業障多,《觀經》說:聞經十二部,但除千劫罪;稱佛一聲,即除罪五十億劫。

念佛之外再誦別的經咒,或者覺得念佛不穩當,覺得念佛還有所不足,認為多讀誦能夠增加這句名號的功德,這也是錯誤認識。

(再續)

Namo Amituofo!

May 29, 2023

May 29, 2023

The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao

善導大師

Master Shandao’s Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra has the honor of being considered the “all-time definitive commentary” by all of the great masters. It is like the golden rule.

There are two principles that serve as the “eyes”, and another two that serve as the “hearts” of the book. Though two, they are one in principle. Knowing the principle, we can thoroughly understand the objective of the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra.

The first principle is to believe and accept the deliverance Amitabha offers us. The second principle is the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name. Both of these are based on the 18th - Fundamental Vow. It means we fully accept and rely upon Amitabha’s deliverance, so that our lives and Amitabha’s form one entity.

《觀經四帖疏》古今大德皆尊稱為「楷定疏」或「證定疏」,奉為金科玉律,崇敬如經。

此書眼目有二處,心要亦有二處;雖有二處,共明一理,知此一理,則《觀經四帖疏》之宗旨,瞭如指掌。

此一理即是信彌陀本願之救度,稱彌陀本願之名號;亦即全部生命頂戴彌陀救度,生命與彌陀成為一體。

Namo Amituofo!