A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
29. The Contemplation Sutra - the Three Kinds of Meritorious Actions of Pure Karma
1. Be filial to parents, respect and serve teachers and elders, maintain kindheartedness, refrain from killing, and cultivate the Ten Good Actions.
2. Undertake and uphold the Three Refuges, fully observe the myriad precepts and avoid undignified comportment.
3. Awaken the Bodhi-mind, believe deeply in cause and effect, read and chant Mahayana scriptures, and encourage others to practice.
These three kinds of deeds are called “pure karma.”
Question 29.1 : Having spoken of the Three Kinds of Meritorious Actions, the Buddha said, “These three types of karma are the primary causes to establish the pure karma of all Buddhas, past, present and future.” However, he doesn’t say Amitabha-recitation is the pure karma for rebirth. How do we interpret this?
Answer:
The sutras state: “The pure karma of the Buddhas in the three periods of time is the true cause.” This means it is the common cause by which all Buddhas of the past, present, and future establish their pure karma and the fruition of their Pure Lands. It is also the shared cause through which sentient beings can connect with and be born in those Pure Lands. Master Shandao explained this as “drawing
sages to inspire ordinary beings,” a skillful means to lead them into the gate of the Pure Land. However, rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss has a special cause, which is exclusively reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name and relying on the power of his 18th Vow to attain rebirth. Because this special teaching is hard to believe, the more common teachings are given first to broadly include beings of various capacities.
(to be continued tomorrow)
29. 《觀經》三福淨業
一者孝養父母，奉事師長，慈心不殺，修十善業；二者受持三歸，具足眾戒，不 犯威儀；三者發菩提心，深信因果，讀誦大乘，勸進行者。如此三事，名為淨 業。
29.1 問：講完三福，佛說「此三種業，乃是過去、未來、現在三世諸佛淨業正 因」，並沒說念佛是淨業正因，如何理解？
答：經中說「三世諸佛淨業正因」，是說三世諸佛建立淨土清淨業果的通因，也 是眾生感通三世諸佛淨土的通因。善導大師解釋為「引聖勵凡」，方便導入淨 土門。往生西方極樂淨土另有別因，即稱念佛號乘托佛願而得往生；別因難信 故，先說此通因，廣攝眾機。
Namo Amituofo!
