Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Question 20 (See the post dated Oct. 22)
Answer: (continued 6/6)
It is like the love of parents for their children. Whether the child is bright or average, their love is equal. Even if a child commits terrible crimes, if the parents are wealthy or influential, they will use their resources to resolve the child’s grave offenses. When the child returns home safely, would he think: “Since even my worst crimes are covered, I can freely commit more with no concern”? Of course not. Though the parents love him as their own flesh and blood, in their hearts they hope he will stand honorably in society and live as a moral, law-abiding person. A child who truly respects his parents will comply with their wishes.
So, one who truly understands this will not think, “I have received this love; but, you have not.” I can look down on others and refuse to correct my faults, or even amplify them. If one indulges in evil in this way, it means he has not truly realized the two kinds of deep faith.
The Pure Land teaching rests upon an awareness of our own capacity for evil and karmic cause and effect. Knowing that good and evil bring retribution, we become more cautious regarding evil.
20問：
續答：(6/ 6)
就好像父母愛護兒女，兒女不管是賢能還是愚劣，父母的慈心都是平等 地愛護他們。即使是兒子在外面犯錯了，甚至犯下滔天大罪，父母如果富有， 且有地位，父母就會用財富與地位去排解這個滔天大罪。這個兒子平安地回 來了，那麼，他難道會認為說：「我即使造下了滔天大罪還是平安，所以我可 以任性地再犯，沒關係。」他會這樣嗎？不會的！父母固然對這個兒子是骨肉 般地疼愛，但父母的心中是希望他能夠堂堂正正地立足社會，做個奉公守法 的有道德的人。兒子如果孝敬父母，就會順從父母的心意。
所以，體會到這一點的人，就不會說：「我得到了，你們都沒有得到。」驕慢 對方，然後自己惡劣的根性本來能夠改的，反而不想改了，甚至更加誇大。這 樣放縱惡業的話，就是沒有體悟到機法兩種深信。
淨土法門本來就是站在罪惡觀上，曉得有善惡報應，從而會對惡謹慎。
Namo Amituofo!
