Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Question 21 -
Answer continued (2/4):
This Dedication Verse is wholly Amitabha’s dedication.
“May this merit” refers to the merit accumulated through Amitabha’s great vow of compassion.
“Be equally shared with all” means it is bestowed equally upon all beings in the ten directions.
“Together awaken the Bodhi-mind”: the Bodhi-mind is the resolve to become a Buddha. Since rebirth in the Pure Land leads directly to Buddhahood, the wish for rebirth is the Bodhi-mind of the Pure Land Path. In Pure Land practice, we need not make an additional vow to awaken Bodhicitta. Hearing and believing in Amitabha’s deliverance, turning our hearts toward him, and aspiring for rebirth—this is our Bodhi-mind.
“Be reborn in the Land of Peace and Bliss”. This means: attaining rebirth in the Land of Bliss, which is secure, joyful, free from the six realms of rebirth. “ Where there is no suffering and only pure joy.”
(to be continued tomorrow)
21問:
續答 (2/4):
這首《迴向偈》完全是彌陀迴向。
「願以此功德」：是指彌陀的悲願，以他所累積的功德。
「平等施一切」：平等布施給十方一切眾生。
「同發菩提心」：「菩提心」就是成佛的心，而往生就能成佛，所以，願往生 淨土的心，就是淨土法門的菩提心。淨土法門不必另外再去發菩提心，聞信 彌陀救度、回心轉意願往生，這種心就是我們的菩提心。
「往生安樂國」：使我們往生到極樂世界去。極樂世界是個安穩、快樂、沒 有六道輪迴、「無有眾苦，但受諸樂」的國土，所以說是「安樂國」。
(明天待續)
Namo Amituofo!
