Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
156. The Meaning of Ordinary Beings (continued 3/6)
Conversely, Bodhisattvas who have not reached the First Ground are called "ordinary beings." Among them, the practitioners in the first ten stages of faith are known as "external ordinary beings." Those in the stages of dwelling, action, and dedication are "internal ordinary beings." Those who have not entered the ten faith stages are called "lower ordinary beings" or "those of the lower and lighter states of faith."
According to Maitreya Bodhisattva's Inquiry Sutra (Taisho Tripitaka, Volume 26, Page 236), it is said that ordinary beings are those who are distant from the teachings of saints, attached to the view of self, and living under the influence of the five desires. Thus, they are called "ordinary beings."
These beings, caught in their afflictions, give rise to desires and attachments, resulting in confusion and suffering.
(to be continued tomorrow)
156 凡夫的意義 (續 3/6)
與此相對，初地以前的菩薩叫作凡夫，其中最初的十信位者為外凡，十住、十 行、十迴向位者為內凡，還未進入十信位者為底下凡夫，也稱為底下薄地凡 夫，又稱為信外輕毛凡夫。
依據《彌勒菩薩所問經論》（大正藏26卷236頁）說：遠離聖人法，染著身見等， 住五欲資生，故名凡夫人。
疏遠聖人之法，住於我見者稱為凡夫。所謂依煩惱，而生起我欲、我見等，而 叫作煩惱迷惑的人。
Namo Amituofo!
