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 One’s Mind (continued)
Question 30.5 : Master Chewu (徹悟大師) regarded the phrase “This mind becomes Buddha, this mind is Buddha” as the “essential doctrinal thread” (纲宗法 要) of the Contemplation Sutra, and even as the central principle of the entire body of the Buddha’s teachings. Yet Master Shandao, the patriarch of the Pure Land School, considered the key teaching (教眼) of the Contemplation Sutra to be: “One who upholds this phrase is one who upholds the Name of Amitabha Buddha.” Why is there such a difference?
Answer:
(1) Different eras, different missions.
Master Chewu lived in a later period, when all schools were turning toward Pure Land. His mission was to guide Chan (Zen) practitioners toward the Pure Land path, using himself as an example. His approach was skillful and adapted to the times.
In contrast, Master Shandao lived earlier, and his role was foundational. He systematized the tradition from ancient to contemporary times, established the Pure Land School, and directly revealed its true meaning.
(2) Different audiences, different teachings.
Master Chewu was primarily trying to persuade Chan practitioners to turn toward Pure Land practice; so, he frequently explained Pure Land teachings using Chan terminology and principles.
Master Shandao, however, built his doctrinal system solely based on the Three Pure Land Sutras, without drawing from other schools or traditions.
(3) Different lineages.
Master Shandao faithfully inherited the Pure Land teachings of Nāgārjuna, Vasubandhu, Tanluan, and Daochuo. However, by Master Chewu’s time, many of these founding texts and teachings had been lost or forgotten. As a result, Chewu could only pass on the idea of the “originally pure self-nature” (自性清淨心) rather than the original doctrinal purity of the Pure Land tradition.
30. 《觀經》應心即現 (續)
30.5 問：徹悟大師將「是心作佛，是心是佛」判為《觀經》「綱宗法要」，乃至一代 時教大法綱宗；宗祖善導大師以「持是語者，即是持無量壽佛名」為《觀經》教 眼。何以有此差別？
答：(１)時代不同，使命不同。徹悟大師處於諸宗歸淨土的後期，以身示範 導禪歸淨，方便應機。善導大師楷定古今，開宗立教，直呈真義。
(２)攝機不同，立場不同。徹悟大師為勸禪者歸淨，多用禪宗教理闡釋淨土。 善導大師純依淨土三經建立教理框架，不涉諸宗。
(３)傳承不同。善導大師忠實傳承龍樹、天親、曇鸞、道綽的淨土理念，而這些 開宗立教的祖典一度失傳，徹悟大師只能傳持「自性清淨心」之說。
Namo Amituofo!
