Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
151. The Inherent Nature, Power, and Function of Amitabha’s Infinite Life and Light (continued)
2. Perfection of Benefiting Others
The vow of infinite light extends horizontally across space, universally available to save all sentient beings in the ten directions.
The vow of infinite lifespan extends vertically through time, eternally available to save sentient beings across the past, present, and future.
Thus, in terms of the virtue of benefiting others, no other qualities surpass these two. As stated above, because the two aspects of infinite light and infinite lifespan are supreme—both in self-benefit and benefiting others—they encompass and surpass all other virtues.
It is evident that these two boundless qualities are not only the wondrous fruits of Amitabha Buddha’s own realization; but, also the fundamental basis of his salvation of all sentient beings in the ten directions. Therefore, Master Honen said:“The vows of infinite light and infinite lifespan are the very foundation of boundless compassion.”
(to be continued tomorrow)
151 無量壽光的體性力用 (續)
二、就「利他圓滿」而言:
光明無量之願,橫的在於空間上,普遍救度十方眾生;壽命無量之願,豎的在於時間上,永恆救度三世眾生。
所以,在利他之德中,也無有勝於此二德者。如上所述,正是因為光壽二種無量,不論是在自利的層面還是在利他的層面上,都超勝於其他功德,所以才以這二種無量來統攝含蓋其他功德。可見,光壽二種無量不僅是阿彌陀佛自證之妙果,同時也是其救度十方眾生的大根大本,故法然上人說:「光明壽命之誓願,為大悲之本」。
Namo Amituofo!
