A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
25. The Contemplation Sutra - Eradication of the Five Gravest Transgressions by Reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name (continued)
Question 25.4 Some say, "Those in the lowest level of the lowest tier are the ones who have committed the five gravest offenses. We should not be content with being low-grade aspirants; but, should strive to be reborn in the highest grade." Is this correct?
Answer: It is good to rejoice in the aspiration to emulate the virtuous and, if it motivates one to diligently recite Amitabha Buddha's Name, it is commendable. However, if one seeks to elevate their grade by engaging in extensive miscellaneous practices, there is the danger of losing the assurance of rebirth, because this would weaken one’s trust in the power of Amitabha’s Name.
Moreover, if one despises one’s current state as an ordinary being and vainly clings to a lofty pure realm they cannot reach, inner agitation and uneasiness will follow. Regarding the result of rebirth, it is best not to set excessively high expectations or overthink it.
Master Ouyi in his Collected Writings of Lingfeng says: "Simply aiming to be born in the lotus of the lowest grade is a settled course for life. How could one dare to boast and deceive the world, bringing disgrace upon the Dharma? Only Amitabha Buddha embraces the impure and the defiled, reaching out with His golden hand to place them in the lotus of the lowest grade."
Recognizing ourselves as beings of the lowest level in the lowest tier arouses a true and urgent desire for salvation, through wholly relying on Amitabha’s compassionate deliverance. It is just like a gravely ill patient who, knowing death is near, desperately longs for a doctor’s help.
In truth, if we honestly reflect using the mirror of the Dharma, we are exactly beings of the lowest grade. As stated in the Avatamsaka Sutra’s Chapter on Samantabhadra’s Practices and Vows: "The bodhisattva reflects: From beginningless kalpas past, due to greed, hatred, and delusion, through body,
speech, and mind, I have committed countless, boundless evil deeds. If these evil deeds had a form and substance, even all the space of the universe could not contain them."
25. 《觀經》稱名除五逆罪 (續)
25.4 問：有人說，「下品下生是五逆罪人，我們不能自甘下品，應力爭上品上 生」，是這樣嗎？
答：見賢思齊之心應當隨喜，若為自勵勤稱佛名，也是可取。如果為了提升 品位轉而廣修雜行，恐失往生，對名號退失信心故；又，厭嫌凡夫現狀，攀緣 淨境而不能得，導致內心不安。對於往生結果，不宜過高期望、過多思慮。
蕅益大師《靈峰宗論》：「只圖下品蓮生，便是終身定局。豈敢大言欺世，致 使法門受辱。」「獨有阿彌陀佛藏污納垢，金手接向下品蓮花安置。」
自視為下品根機，才能生起急迫求救之心，全憑彌陀救度。猶如病人，自 知病重將死，才能渴望醫生診治。
其實，用佛法的鏡子自照，我們正是下下品人。《華嚴經‧普賢行願品》：「菩 薩自念，我於過去無始劫中，由貪瞋癡，發身口意，作諸惡業，無量無邊，若 此惡業有體相者，盡虛空界不能容受。」
Namo Amituofo!
