Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
154. The Meaning of the Title of the Amitabha Sutra (continued 6/9) III. Master Yuanzhao’s Five Explanations
Master Yuanzhao, in his Commentary on the Meaning of the Amitabha Sutra, offers five profound explanations, full of insight. Based on the essential teaching (zong) of the Sutra, he proposed a distinct title, summarized in five points. The translation master, drawing from the core message of the Sutra, constructed a separate title—not one directly found in the Sutra text, but one established independently. This is why it’s called “a separately established title” (bie jian ci ti 別建此題). The five meanings are as follows:
1. It aligns with the intent of the Sutra.
Since the Sutra presents the sole method of Name-recitation, it is fitting to extract the Buddha’s Name and place it at the head of the title. “Aligning with the Sutra’s intent” means the title reflects the core message of the text. The phrase “the Sutra presents the sole method of Name-recitation” uses the word sole (wei 唯)—showing Master Yuanzhao’s deep Dharma insight. The Sutra teaches only the method of exclusively reciting Amitabha’s Name. Therefore, extracting the Buddha’s Name and placing it at the beginning of the Sutra title is most appropriate.
2. It suits the capacities of sentient beings.
The Name of Amitabha is joyfully received and heard by many, so using it as the title helps people believe and accept the teaching. While the independently constructed title aligns upward with the Buddha’s intent, it also reaches downward to meet the capacities of sentient beings—“suiting the audience.”
“The Name of Amitabha is joyfully heard by all, so it is used as the title —many will come to believe and accept it.” Because people love to hear it, placing it in the title makes the teaching more accessible and inspires faith.
(to be continued tomorrow)
154 《阿彌陀經》名義 (續 6/9)
三、元照大師五點解釋
元照大師《阿彌陀經義疏》有五點說明，意義非常好。
據宗取要，別建此題，略有五意。
譯經大師根據本經的宗旨來摘取要點，另外立了經題，這不是經文所含 的，而是譯者另外所建的，所以說「別建此題」。有五點含義。
1. 一則上符經旨。經中唯示持名方法，故取佛名，用標題首。 「上符經旨」，符合經文的宗旨。
「經中唯示持名方法，故取佛名，用標題首」，用一「唯」字，顯示元照大師 深具法眼；「唯示」，經中所講的只有持名的方法，所以把佛名取出來，標在一 部經的開頭。
2.二則下適機宜。彌陀名號，眾所樂聞，故用標題，人多信受故。 別題向上符合世尊的心意，向下則「下適機宜」，適合眾生的根機。
「彌陀名號，眾所樂聞，故用標題，人多信受故」，大家都願意聽到，所以 用來作為經的標題，容易信受。
Namo Amituofo!
