Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
159. The Three Levels of Nianfo ( Buddha-Recitation)
There are three levels of Nianfo:
1. Nianfo (Buddha-recitation) in general
2. Fundamental Vow Nianfo
3. Chosen Fundamental Vow Nianfo
1. Nianfo (General Buddha-Recitation)
At this first level, "Nianfo" refers broadly to the practice of reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name. This is found in many Buddhist schools and traditions. It can be practiced based on self-power (自力) or other-power (他力), and it does not distinguish between whether the practice accords with Amitabha Buddha's Fundamental Vow or not. This is the most basic and general form of Nianfo.
2. Fundamental Vow Nianfo
The second level is “Nianfo based on Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow ” (本願念佛), also called other-power Nianfo (他力念佛). This means reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name and relying on his Fundamental Vow, rather than on one's own effort. This kind of Nianfo constitutes the “karma of assurance” (正定業) for rebirth in the Pure Land because it is in full accord with the power of Amitabha’s Vow. Thus, it is a guaranteed path to rebirth.
3. Nianfo Chosen in the Fundamental Vow
The third level is “Nianfo Chosen in the Fundamental Vow ” (選擇本願念佛). This refers to the fact that the Primal Vow Nianfo is not a path that was chosen by others, but was chosen by Amitabha Buddha himself.
During the time of his bodhisattva practices, Amitabha surveyed 210 billion Buddha-lands across the ten directions, selecting their best features to form his 48 Great Vows, culminating in the fulfillment of his Name—Namo Amituofo. This Name is the very essence of his Vow.
(to be continued tomorrow)
159 三重念佛
三個層次的念佛：一、念佛。二、本願念佛。三、選擇本願念佛。
第一重，「念佛」。各宗各派也在念佛，自力也是念佛，他力也是念佛，這 是第一層，還沒有分本願、非本願的念佛。
第二重，「本願念佛」。「本願念佛」就是「他力念佛」，靠阿彌陀佛根本願力 的念佛，這種念佛屬於正定業，因是依彌陀本願的念佛，與彌陀的願力相應 故。
第三重，「選擇本願念佛」。是指本願念佛是阿彌陀佛所選擇，不是他人所 選擇。因為這是阿彌陀佛在因地發願的時候，選取十方世界二百一十億諸佛 國土之精華，結成四十八大願，而成就這句名號。
Namo Amituofo!
