A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
21. The Great Treasure Collection Sutra: The Assembly of the Tathagata of Infinite Life - Dharma King who Saves All Sentient Beings
"If one's heart is not steadfast in constantly practicing generosity, And widely relieving the poor from all suffering,
Bringing benefits and peace to the world,
One cannot become a Dharma King who saves all beings.
...Only one who can save all worlds,
From the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death,
Can truly be called a savior of all."
Question 21.1 Some people say we should, "Willingly become a suffering being in order to be delivered by the Buddha. Doesn’t this go against the spirit of Mahayana Buddhism?"
Answer: Other Mahayana paths require difficult practices, where one attains enlightenment as a bodhisattva and then helps others. In contrast, the Pure Land path acknowledges that one cannot deliver oneself and, as an ordinary being, must rely upon the Buddha's deliverance.
After being reborn in the Pure Land, people return to fulfill their vow to deliver all sentient beings, and truly realize their aspiration. As it is stated in the bodhisattva vows, "Sentient beings are infinite, I vow to save them all."
This is what Master Tanluan referred to as the highest realization of the Mahayana. Amitabha Buddha's vow of deliverance embraces both the highest-level bodhisattvas and even the most sinful beings, leaving no sentient beings behind. This is the ultimate expression of the Mahayana and the pinnacle of great compassion.
21. 《如來會》救世法王
心或不堪常行施，廣濟貧窮免諸苦，利益世間使安樂，不成救世之法王。…… 能救一切諸世間，生老病死眾苦惱。
21.1 問：有人說，「甘做罪苦眾生，被佛救度，這不太符合大乘佛法精神吧？」
答：大乘其他法門，難行能行，以菩薩身分自度度人；淨土法門，心知不能 自救，以凡夫身分被佛救度，往生之後乘願再來，真正做到「眾生無邊誓願 度」，曇鸞大師所謂「上衍之極至」。阿彌陀佛的本願救度，上含等覺菩薩，下 攝逆惡罪人，十方眾生無一遺漏，可謂大乘之極至、大慈大悲之極至。
Namo Amituofo!
