Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Answer to Q30 about releasing living beings (4 /4 )
In ancient times, there was once a horse. After it died, it appeared to its owner in a dream , manifesting the appearance of a monastic. In the dream, it told its owner: “Because, while I was alive, I accepted your instruction, received Amitābha’s deliverance, and recited Namo Amitābha Buddha, I have now been reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. I have come to inform you of this and express my gratitude.” Even a horse—an animal—could understand human speech and be reborn in the Pure Land.
Therefore, when we release living beings, we should explain to them Amitābha Buddha’s compassionate deliverance and then recite Namo Amitabha Buddha; so that once they hear it, it forever becomes a seed of enlightenment.
The most precious thing in the world is life; the most tragic thing in the human realm is being killed. There is a saying: “Even a single grain of rice must be cherished, for it is a foundation for blessings.” This means that even one small grain of rice should be treasured, as it is a source of merit. Similarly, “Even tiny creatures must be cherished, for this is a source of longevity.” This means that even the smallest living beings should be protected, as this nurtures long life.
Of course, we do not seek blessings or longevity on our own; both blessings and long life are already contained within Amitābha’s vows. Nevertheless, this practice expresses our cherishing of blessings and the natural outflow of compassion.
答 Q30 (4 /4)：
古代曾經有一匹馬，這匹馬死了之後就托夢給他的主人，在夢中這匹馬 現出家身，告訴主人說：「我因為在生的時候，接受你的勸導，領受彌陀救度， 稱念南無阿彌陀佛，現在已經往生極樂世界了，我現在來向你通告感謝。」一 匹馬，畜生，牠也能夠聽懂人的話，能夠往生極樂世界。
所以，我們如果放生的話，還是給牠講說阿彌陀佛的慈悲救度，然後就念 佛，讓牠能夠一入耳根永成道種。
天下最貴重的就是生命，世間最悲慘的就是被殺，有一句話說得很好， 「粒米必珍，福之本也」，就是說：即使一粒小米也要珍惜，因為這是福報的來 源。同樣，「微物必惜，壽之源也」，意思就是說：即使一隻微小的動物也要愛 護，因為這是壽的來源。
當然，我們不向彌陀之外去求福求壽，福與壽都在阿彌陀佛的願中，不過 ，這是我們一種惜福與慈悲的流露。
Namo Amituofo!
