Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
156. The Meaning of Ordinary Beings
In Pure Land Buddhism, those who are saved are referred to as ordinary beings. Although the term "ordinary beings" generally refers to common or average people, this word is a translation of the Sanskrit term ṛthagjanaiḥ, which directly translates to "beings born in different worlds."
"Different worlds" refers to the six realms: Hell, Hungry Ghosts, Animals, Asuras, Humans, and Deities. These realms are based on the arising of karmic actions
influenced by afflictions, which result in rebirth into one of these six realms, thus they are called "beings born in different worlds."
(to be continued tomorrow)
156 凡夫的意義
淨土教中，對於被救度的人稱為凡夫。
凡夫雖然一般是指凡庸的、平平凡凡的一般人，但這個詞語是梵語 ṛthagjanaiḥ 的翻譯語，直譯則為異生。
「異生」是指出生於種種相異不同的世界者。「不同的世界」是指六道，也就是 地獄、餓鬼、畜生、阿修羅、人間、天人。依煩惱而起業，轉生於六種不同的世 界，所以叫作異生。
Namo Amituofo!
