Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
154. The Meaning of the Title of the Amitabha Sutra (continued 3/9)
II. Why the Translators Chose Their Respective Titles
Although the Sutra text itself presents the possibility of two different titles, the translators did not adopt either in full.
For example, Master Xuanzang uses the eight-character title “The Sutra in Praise of the Pure Land and the Buddha’s Embrace ”, while Master Kumarajiva uses the six-character “The Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on Amitabha”. Different titles can lead to different understandings and approaches in receiving and practicing this sutra.
Master Kumarajiva’s choice of title carries two key implications:
1. The Name Contains All Virtues
The word “Name” refers specifically to the three-character “Amitabha.” The Name of Amitabha Buddha encompasses all virtues and merits. Thus, presenting this most condensed form places direct focus on what is essential.
The names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are extremely pure and profound - the simpler, the better.
If we add long phrases like “Great Compassion,” “Great Loving-Kindness,” “Homage to the Inconceivable Power of Great Vows,” and so on, by the time we finish reading, we may have already forgotten the beginning.
But when we see “Namo Amitabha Buddha,” its wholesome seed is instantly planted deep in our hearts—simple, direct, and clear. Sometimes, an overabundance of words can obscure the meaning rather than reveal it.
Therefore, a sutra’s title need not be complicated. The three-character “Amitabha” already contains everything. That is why the title The Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on Amitabha has become widely accepted and recited throughout the world.
(to be continued tomorrow)
154 《阿彌陀經》名義 (續 3/9)
二、為何譯者取今名
經文列了兩個經名，可是譯者並未全盤照錄。如玄奘大師用「稱讚淨土佛 攝受經」八字，羅什大師用「佛說阿彌陀經」六字。不同的經名對理解、受持此 經有不同的影響。
羅什大師的翻名有兩個意義：
（一）名包萬德
「名」即「阿彌陀」三個字。阿彌陀佛的名號，包含了一切的功德，所以把這 個最簡略的名提出來。
佛菩薩的名號非常純，愈簡略愈好。如果加「大慈大悲」四個字，或者「南 無大慈大悲、大願大力、大雄大力、不可思議」很多話，讀到後面，前面的已經 忘了。一看「南無阿彌陀佛」，當下善根種到心裡，很簡潔，很清楚，很明朗。 有時候文多意濁，文字過多反而埋沒義理。
經題不需要複雜，「阿彌陀」三個字包含一切。所以，《佛說阿彌陀經》這個 經名普遍流行在世界。
Namo Amituofo!
