May 1, 2025
Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
153. The Meaning Within the Name - "Amitabha’s Pure Land (continued)
1. Aligning with the Nature of Sentient Beings and Forming Vast Dharma Connections
The "nature of sentient beings" refers to Buddha-nature, which is synonymous with great Nirvana—permanence, joy, self, and purity.
The "joy" of the Pure Land is not worldly pleasure but Dharma joy, the true, great, and Nirvanic bliss of permanence, joy, self, and purity. This joy is inherently present in all sentient beings: "How unexpected! My own nature is originally complete." The name of the Pure Land is thus established based on Buddha-nature, Dharma-nature, and enabling sentient beings to form deep Dharma connections. As Master Ouyi said: "All Buddhas manifest from the Dharma body to form karmic connections with beings."
Bodhisattva Dharmakara (who later became Amitabha Buddha) primarily connects with sentient beings on the level of Buddha-nature. However, he also manifests in countless forms to establish these connections. His mind pervades infinite space and the Dharma realm, completely uniting with the innate nature of all beings. When he dedicates merit, it is received across the ten directions of the Dharma realm. This reflects the great aspiration of a Bodhisattva. Therefore, all people inherently have a connection with Amitabha Buddha and the Pure Land—though the depth and closeness of that connection may vary.
(to be continued tomorrow)
153 極樂之立名 (續)
1.順眾生性，廣結法緣
「眾生性」，即佛性，佛性就是大涅槃、常樂我淨。極樂的樂不是世間樂， 而是法樂，是常樂我淨的真樂、大樂、涅槃之樂。這樣的樂是眾生本性所具足 的，「何期自性，本來具足」。這是依佛性、法性而立的名，能夠廣結法緣，蕅 益大師言「諸佛本從法身垂跡，固結緣種」。
法藏菩薩主要是在佛性層面和我們結緣，當然，也有分身無數來結緣的。 法藏菩薩的心盡虛空遍法界，和我們眾生的本性完全一體，他一迴向，十方 法界都收到了，這是菩薩發大心。所以，世間人人與阿彌陀佛有緣，與極樂世 界有緣，只是緣有深淺、親疏的不同。
(待續)
Namo Amituofo!
