Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Answer to Question 6 (continued)
This Name alone enables us to attain rebirth in the Pure Land. Therefore, by reciting this Name, we can be reborn there. When we understand this and recite the Name, faith is already present within us. Even if we do not fully comprehend the deeper principles, as long as we continue reciting, we will certainly attain rebirth—because Amitabha Buddha is at work.
A well-documented and vividly recorded case of faith being awakened is that of Master Honen. Master Honen himself left an account of this process. He stated that he did not attain true faith in the practice of reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name until he was 43 years old.
He recounted how he searched tirelessly for a path to liberation from the cycle of birth-and-death, diligently studying the Buddhist scriptures five times. "Which sutra expounds a method that is not only suitable for me, but also for anyone, a method that can truly lead to liberation from the cycle of birth-and-death?"
Though he was regarded as the foremost in wisdom and scholarship at that time, even Master Hōnen, with all his wisdom, persistently searched through the scriptures and treatises, again and again, completing five full readings.
At last, he discovered Master Shandao’s Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, in which it was stated that reciting Amitabha’s Buddha’s Name enables one to attain rebirth in the Pure Land. This method was accessible to everyone—simple and swift. From then on, he ceased reading other scriptures and focused exclusively on this commentary, reading it three more times.
Upon the first reading, although he had not yet grasped its full essence, he already felt great joy. On the second reading, he gained even greater reassurance. Then, during the third reading, he came upon this passage:
"Single-mindedly recite Amitabha’s Name, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, regardless of time or duration, without ever forsaking it. This is called the “Karma of Assurance”, for it accords with the Vow of Amitabha Buddha."
(to be continued tomorrow)
續答:
這句名號本身能使我們往生,所以,我們稱念這句名號就能往生。我們知道這一點去稱念,信就在裏面了,儘管對這個道理瞭解得不是很充分,可是能夠一直稱念下去,也必定往生,因為有阿彌陀佛在運作。
有記載信心開發過程、而且歷歷在眼目的,就是法然上人,法然上人有這個記載。法然上人說他一直到四十三歲才得到念佛的信心。
法然上人說,他為尋找出離生死輪迴的法門,翻閱經藏五遍,「到底哪一部經所解釋的那個法門才是適合我,也適合任何人,能夠解脫生死輪迴呢?」——法然上人在當時被稱為智慧第一,可是智慧第一的法然上人為了尋求解脫之道,還是一部經典、一部論典一直地翻、一直地看,總共五遍,最後才發現,善導大師所寫的《觀經四帖疏》裏面有記載,稱念名號能夠往生極樂世界這個法門,這個法門是每個人能做得到的,簡單快速。
於是,其他經典都不看了,專門針對這部《觀經四帖疏》再度看了三遍。第一遍看完,雖然大意重點還沒有抓到,可是已經覺得很歡喜了。再看第二遍,更加得到安慰。再看第三遍,正當看到:
一心專念彌陀名號,行住坐臥,不問時節久近,念念不捨者,是名正定之業,順彼佛願故。
Namo Amituofo!
