Aug. 17, 2025
Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
160. The Real Mark Body and the Body for Saving Sentient Beings (continued 3 /4)
When we recite “Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo…”, from our standpoint as ordinary beings, it appears to be within the realm of arising and ceasing. For example, “Oh no, I fell asleep and stopped reciting; now that I’ve remembered, I’ll start again.” It seems like this practice comes and goes.
However, on the other side, this very Name is comprised of Amitabha Buddha’s infinite light and infinite life - unborn and undying, the true reality (true suchness), the full manifestation of Buddha-nature, the perfect realization of ultimate truth.
Therefore, when we recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name, it is said to :
“ contain all phenomena yet identical with ultimate truth” (全事即理), and “Entirely a practice yet identical with original nature” (全修即性).
This is impossible in other paths!
When we recite sutras, the sutras themselves do not inherently possess this power. Unless we attain enlightenment through reciting them and realize the true nature of all dharmas, only then can it be said that “phenomena are identical with
principle” and “practice is identical with nature.” Otherwise, these remain separate.
This is why, in the Path of Sages, practice must begin after enlightenment. Before awakening, practice and principle, self and nature, remain divided into two.
But the Pure Land path is supremely wondrous! Even with our status as ordinary beings, simply opening our mouths and reciting “Namo Amituofo” already “contains all phenomena, yet is identical with ultimate truth”.
(to be continued tomorrow)
160 實相身、為物身 (續3/4)
我們念「南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛……」，從凡夫這邊來 看，是生滅的，「哎呀，我睡著了，沒有念；想起來，我再念了。」但是，這句名 號本身另一面，是阿彌陀佛的無量光、無量壽，是不生不滅，是真如理體，是佛性的完全顯發，是理體的完全證悟。所以，我們念佛，叫「全事即理，全修即 性」。
別的法門不可能！誦經，經本身不具備這樣的功能，除非我們誦經開悟， 證得諸法實相，才能夠「事即理」，才能夠「修即性」，不然都不能做到。
所以，聖道法門的修行要悟後起修，沒有開悟之前，它和理、和性都是分 成兩片。
淨土法門多殊勝，即使我們這樣凡夫的身分，張張嘴念「南無阿彌陀佛」 ——全事即理。
Namo Amituofo!
