Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
171 - Primary Karma and Complementary Karma (continued 5/5)
Master Shandao also said in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, “ As said in the Larger Sutra (The Infinite Life Sutra), “The great vows and pure karmic power of Amitabha Buddha are the augmentative causes for all good and evil ordinary beings to be reborn [in Pure Land]. “
In other words, the primary karma and complementary karma of an Amitabha-reciter, in his next life, are the guiding principles and characteristics of the Pure Land School. He supports this premise with the following four gathas:
Faith in, and acceptance of, Amitabha’s deliverance,
Exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha,
Aspiration to rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land
Amitabha’s Comprehensive deliverance of all sentient beings is based upon these principles:
Exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha,
Complete reliance on Amitabha Buddha’s 18th / Fundamental Vow, Rebirth of ordinary beings in the Pure Land’s Realm of Rewards, Rebirth and non-retrogression assured in the present lifetime.
171 引業與滿業 (續)
善導大師《觀經疏》也說：
《大經》說：「一切善惡凡夫得生者，莫不皆乘阿彌陀佛大願業力為增上緣也。」
亦可說，念佛人下輩子的「引業」與「滿業」，即是淨土宗宗旨與特色的四 句偈所說：
信受彌陀救度，專稱彌陀佛名，
願生彌陀淨土，廣度十方眾生。（宗旨）
本願稱名，凡夫入報，
平生業成，現生不退。（特色）
Namo Amituofo!
