Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Question 19 :
Answer continued:
The Three Grades and Nine Levels refer to those who dedicate the merit of their various self-cultivated practices toward rebirth in the Land of Bliss. They can still attain rebirth, for Amitabha still vows to save them. However, this does not accord with the 18th Vow, because the 18th Vow is the natural expression of Amitabha’s
enlightened nature, the vow of His Name embodying Nirvana. Only through this vow can one directly enter the world of Nirvana.
Those relying on the 19th Vow cannot attain that same result; instead, they are born from a lotus womb rather than transformed from a lotus flower. This is why there are distinctions between the three grades and nine levels.
The 18th and 19th Vows are called “vows for after this life”—one attains rebirth in the Pure Land after this present lifetime.
The 20th Vow is known as the “vow for establishing a connection”. Some people may recite Amitabha’s Name and yearn for the Pure Land (as the vow says, “hearing My Name and being mindful of My Land”). Unfortunately, their aspiration for rebirth is not earnest enough ; so, they do not attain rebirth after this life.
However, because they have now formed a karmic bond with Amitabha (as the vow says, “planting roots of virtue”—meaning that seeds have been planted, and they await future fruition). Amitabha will, through this karmic connection, ensure that they will certainly attain rebirth in a future life (as the vow declares:
“If anyone, with a sincere mind, dedicates their merit and aspires to be born in My Land, yet does not attain it, I will not attain perfect enlightenment”).
Thus, the 20th Vow is called the “Vow of Assured Future Rebirth through Mindfulness” or the “Vow of Rebirth Fulfilled in Three Lifetimes.”
The masters of old used an analogy for this vow: “It is like a fish that has swallowed a hook—it cannot remain in the water for long.”
19 問 - 續答：
「三輩九品」以自己所修的各個不一樣的法門，迴向往生極樂世界，還是能夠 往生，彌陀還是要救度這些眾生。只是由於不合乎第十八願，因為第十八願 是天性自然所顯現的，是彌陀涅槃的名號之願，唯有這個願才能進入涅槃的 世界。第十九願當然就不能得到那個果，在於胎生，而非化生。所以，有三輩 九品的差別。
十八願、十九願屬於「當生願」，今生往生極樂世界。
二十願屬於「結緣願」。有的人雖也念佛嚮往極樂（所謂「聞我名號，繫念我 國」），但願生心不懇切，而今生未往生，然與彌陀結了緣（所謂「植諸德本」－ －已經植下種子，等待未來結果），彌陀即以此機緣，使其未來世必定往生 （所謂「至心迴向，欲生我國，不果遂者，不取正覺」）。
故二十願名「繫念定生願」，亦名「三生果遂願」。古德比喻此願說：「猶如吞鉤 之魚，在水不久。」
Namo Amituofo!
