Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
155. The Relationship Between Amitabha Buddha’s Light and Life (continued 4/6)
2. The Interdependence of Function
This interdependence implies that Light relies on Life for its manifestation, and Life relies on Light for its expression. Light, being an outward radiance, must have a supporting source — a substratum that sustains and enables its projection. This substratum is precisely Life.
Light represents the dynamic vitality of life — its expressive, outward, altruistic energy. Life, in turn, is the embodied reality of this vitality.
In human experience, Light manifests as vitality, as a form of power or force. A person lacking vitality appears dull and lifeless; conversely, one brimming with life force exudes radiance and brilliance.
Amitabha Buddha’s Light and Life are thus mutually dependent. Infinite Light necessitates Infinite Life. If Light were vast but Life limited, then the Light would be temporal and finite — no longer truly boundless.
(to be continued tomorrow)
155 阿彌陀佛光壽關係 (續 4/6)
2.相依的關係
相依，即光明依壽命，壽命依光明。因為光明是對外散發的，它一定要有 一個載體，一定要有一個承擔物，這個承擔就是壽命。光明就代表生命力，外 化利他的。壽命就是生命體。
光代表我們的生命力，是力量的一種──對外的勃發的力量。每一個人也 有光明，一個人如果死氣沉沉就沒有光彩；如果生命力很強，便光彩照人，神 采奕奕。
阿彌陀佛的光和壽是互相依存的，無量光明一定要求是無量壽命的，如 果光很大，可是壽命有限，那就是有限光明有量光了。
Namo Amituofo!
