Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Question 25 : Master, in the Contemplation Sutra, “the lowest level of the lowest grade attains rebirth in the Pure Land through ten recitations.” Since this belongs to the scattered good form of exclusively reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha , does one who is reborn in the Land of Bliss at this level realize Nirvāṇa immediately, or should we follow the sutra’s literal meaning that they remain enclosed in a lotus womb?
Answer: (1/3)
For those of the lowest level of the lowest rebirth, is their rebirth one in which they remain inside a lotus for twelve great kalpas, or do they immediately have the lotus blossom open, see the Buddha, and realize the patience of the non-arising of dharmas? There is both an explicit meaning (顯義) and a hidden meaning (隱義).
According to the explicit meaning, they remain within the lotus for twelve great kalpas. According to the hidden meaning, the lotus opens at once, they see Amitabha Buddha, and awaken to the non-arising of dharmas, just like everyone else.
Why does the sutra mention “twelve great kalpas”? Because this person had committed the five gravest offenses and slandered the Dharma. If he had not, then it would not state that he must remain for twelve great kalpas.
We use this passage to confirm the intent of the Eighteenth Vow: “Except for those who commit the five gravest offenses or slander the true Dharma.” Why are the words “except for (唯除)” used? Because this person did commit the five gravest offenses and slander the Dharma. If he had not, the vow would not include the phrase “except for.”
(to be continued tomorrow)
25問：請問師父，《觀經》下品下生「十念往生」，是屬於散善中的念佛，那麼往 生到極樂世界是證涅槃，還是看它的顯義是蓮花胞胎？
答：
「下品下生」的往生是在蓮花中十二大劫，還是立刻花開見佛、悟無生忍？這個有顯義與隱義。
顯義的話，是在十二大劫裏面，隱義的話是花開見佛悟無生，與其他的人一樣。可是它這裏為什麼要說十二大劫？因為他是犯五逆謗法之人，他如果不犯五逆謗法，就不會說住十二大劫了。
我們以這一段來印證第十八願的「唯除五逆，誹謗正法」，為什麼說要「唯除五逆，誹謗正法」呢？因為他是五逆謗法，所以才加上「唯除」兩個字，如果 他不是五逆謗法，就不加「唯除」了。
Namo Amituofo!
