Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
155. The Relationship Between Amitabha Buddha’s Light and Life (continued 3/6)
1. The Unity of Essence
This unity refers to the idea that Light is the radiance of Infinite Life, and Life is the vitality of Infinite Light. Life, as understood in the Pure Land teaching, is characterized by permanence, bliss, true self, and purity — attributes made possible only by its boundless luminous nature. Conversely, the reason Light is termed "Infinite Light" is because it is grounded in a base of Infinite Life.
A common analogy is that of a candle. When lit, it produces light; the duration it can burn is its lifespan. The light and the candle's wax form an inseparable whole — the function and the substance are united. Yet, such worldly analogies are inherently limited.
A candle may burn for two hours and illuminate only five to ten meters. It is finite in both duration and range. In contrast, Amitabha Buddha's Light and Life are both immeasurable and inconceivable — fully integrated in a boundless, transcendent unity.
(to be continued tomorrow)
155 阿彌陀佛光壽關係 (續 3/6)
1.一體的關係
一體，即光明，是無量壽命的光明；壽命，是無量光明的壽命。壽命是常樂 我淨的，因為有無量光明的壽命；而光明之所以被稱為無量光明，是因為有無 量壽命作為支撐。
比如一根蠟燭，點燃就有光；這根蠟燭能燃燒的時間，這個量就是壽。這 就是一體的關係，這蠟燭的光和蠟燭的燭體不能分開。
當然，世間的比喻不足以形容。這是有量的，蠟燭只能燃燒兩個小時，光 只能照五米、十米，一根小蠟燭而已，但阿彌陀佛的光壽一體都是無量的。
Namo Amituofo!
