Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
177. Aspiring to Be Born Is Itself Being Born (4 /4)
II. Aspiring for Birth Is Itself Birth
According to the sequence of the teaching in this sutra, the vow mentioned here comes after Shakyamuni has taught “to uphold the Name.” (practice) After the Buddhas have borne witness he then declares:
“You should all accept and believe my words and those spoken by all of the Buddhas.”
“If there are those who have faith, they should vow to be born in that land.”
Thus, faith, vow, and practice are one integrated whole. This is a vow complete with fulfilled faith and fully endowed practice.
When such a vow is aroused, then at that very moment — in that very thought — one is assured of birth in the coming life. We need not wait for another lifetime for it to be determined.
Even if one’s vow is shallow — merely wishing without sustained practice, and the vow does not continue — though one may not attain immediate birth in this very life, one will ultimately attain birth in the future. Tracing it back to its distant cause, it still lies in that initial single thought of aspiration.
It may be said: No vow is made in vain. Once the vow is made, birth is assured.
From this we understand the supreme importance of arousing the aspiration for birth.
177 願生即生 (4/4)
二、願生即生
從本經開展的次第來說，這裡的願是在釋尊說過「執持名號（行）」之後 ，又經過了諸佛證誠，釋尊說「汝等皆當信受我語及諸佛所說」、「若有信者 ，應當發願，生彼國土」。
所以，正是信願行一體，信心圓滿、願行具足的願；發起此願心，則當 生、當念必定往生，不必經過下一生。如果只是淺淺發願，唯願無行，願不相 續，則今生雖未即往生，將來也畢竟往生，推其遠因，仍由當初一念願心。可 謂願無虛發，願發必生。可知發願的重要。
Namo Amituofo!
