Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
172 - The Dharma of Removing Suffering and Affliction (1/7)
At the beginning of the 7th Contemplation, the Contemplation of the lotus throne, in the Contemplation Sutra, it says:
“The Buddha said to Ananda and Vaidehi: ‘Listen carefully, listen carefully and deeply reflect upon this. I shall now, for your sake, clearly explain the Dharma for removing suffering and affliction. You should remember it well and widely share it with the great assembly.’
When these words were spoken, Amitabha Buddha appeared in midair.”
Here, when Shakyamuni Buddha states that he is about to explain the method for eliminating suffering and affliction, Amitabha Buddha immediately appears. After Amitabha disappears, Shakyamuni Buddha continues by explaining the practice of the Contemplation of the lotus throne. This raises the question: what exactly does the “Dharma for removing suffering and affliction” refer to? Does it refer to the practice of Amitabha-recitation based on Amitabha Buddha’s Fundamental Vow, symbolized by Amitabha’s appearance? Or does it refer to the contemplation practice of the lotus throne? This is an issue worth examining.
From the explicit wording of the sutra, it appears to refer to the contemplation of the lotus throne. However, it is the Buddha’s hidden intent ( his inner purpose) to refer to the Dharma of the exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha. This is based on Amitabha Buddha’s Fundamental Vow, as evidenced by Amitabha’s
appearance.
(to be continued tomorrow)
172 除苦惱法 (1 / 7)
《觀經》第七華座觀一開始說：「佛告阿難及韋提希：『諦聽，諦聽！善思念 之。吾當為汝，分別解說除苦惱法。汝等憶持，廣為大眾分別解說。』說是語 時，無量壽佛住立空中。」
釋尊在這裡說到要為大家解說消除苦惱的方法時，馬上就有阿彌陀佛來 現，阿彌陀佛消失之後，釋尊是接著繼續講華座觀法。那麼所說的「除苦惱 法」，到底指的是什麼？是指阿彌陀佛現身所表示的弘願念佛法？或是指華 座觀法？這是一個疑問。從經的顯文看，所指的是華座觀法，但是從佛的密 意（內心的意旨、意願）來說，指的是阿彌陀佛所示現的念佛的弘願法。
Namo Amituofo!
