A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
30. The Contemplation Sutra - Appearing Immediately in Response to Mind (continued)
Question 30.3 : “When the mind contemplates Buddha, this mind becomes Buddha.” When we recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name , is it the same?”
Answer: Verbal recitation (the karma of speech) arises from mental intention (the karma of thought). Therefore, by exclusively reciting Amitabha’s Name “this mind becomes Buddha, this mind is Buddha.”
Moreover, vocal recitation of Amitabha’s Name is an act that relies upon “ the Enlightenment of the Fruit-ground (Buddhahood) as the Mind of the Causal-ground (our present mind).” It fully receives and embraces the complete virtues and attainments of Amitabha Buddha’s enlightenment. This makes it even more supreme and exceptional.
Thus, we can rightly say: “ when this mind recites Amitabha Buddha’s Name, this mind becomes one with Amitabha Buddha.”
30. 《觀經》應心即現 (續)
30.3 問：「心想佛時，是心作佛，是心是佛」，口稱名號時，是否也是這樣？
答：口業由意業發動，所以，如實稱名同樣「是心作佛，是心是佛」；而且， 口稱名號是「以果地覺，為因地心」，全體領納佛地果德，更加超勝。所以，也 可以說「是心念佛，是心作佛，是心是佛」。
Namo Amituofo!
