Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
153. The Meaning Within the Name - "Amitabha’s Pure Land (continued)
According to Master Shandao’s explanation, Buddhism is not fundamentally based on wisdom; rather, wisdom is simply a skillful means to guide and transform
sentient beings. Great compassion is the true essence, aiming to relieve beings from suffering and grant them joy.
As for wisdom, it is necessary because, in order to grant sentient beings the ultimate benefit of being freed from suffering and attaining joy, the Buddha must use boundless wisdom to reveal the Dharma and employ various methods to guide beings. Of course, those with sharp faculties may become Arhats or Pratyekabuddhas through the path of wisdom, or even attain the bodhisattva’s realization of the non-arising patience (anupattika-dharma-kṣānti). However, even those without such wisdom can still enter one of the 84,000 Dharma gates, and ultimately return to the Pure Land Path. In this way they will be fulfilling Amitabha Buddha’s fundamental vow of great compassion.
For this reason, only Amitabha Buddha is called the one who perfectly fulfills great compassion. Other Buddhas cannot be called the ones who perfectly fulfill great compassion.
Master Yinguang stated:
"Without this Dharma, one cannot fully achieve Buddhahood above, nor extensively deliver sentient beings below."
If one departs from the practice of exclusively reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name, the great compassion of all Buddhas cannot be fully realized.
153 極樂之立名(續)
如果依善導大師的解釋，佛教不是以智慧為根本，智慧只是度化眾生的 方便；大悲才是本來面貌，是要給眾生拔苦與樂。
至於說智慧，是因為如果要讓我們得到拔苦與樂的究竟利益，佛要用無 窮的智慧來開顯，要用種種的法門來誘導。當然，根機猛利的人在智慧門可
以悟得阿羅漢果、緣覺果，或得到菩薩無生法忍。即使沒有這樣智慧的人，通 過八萬四千法門導歸淨土法門，最後也能夠滿足佛的大悲本心。
所以，只有阿彌陀佛稱為「滿足大悲」，諸佛不能稱為「滿足大悲」。印光大 師說「捨此法，上不能圓成佛道，下不能廣度群萌」，離開念佛法門，諸佛大悲 就不能圓滿。
Namo Amituofo!
