Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Answer to Q33: (5 /6)
He does not give us gold and silver treasures, but the Land of Bliss itself. In that land, the ground is made of gold. The houses there are built not with bricks like ours, but with gold. Most precious of all, he gives us Infinite Light and Infinite Life, and the same Forty-Eight Great Vows that he possesses.
At that time we will feel: “I am rich beyond measure!” If we possess so much, would we still be stingy when giving a little to others? If someone owes us a small amount, would we insist on reclaiming it at all costs? No. These things no longer matter. Our hearts will be transformed.
Therefore, although the Pure Land path does not emphasize the practice of the Six Paramitas and countless virtuous deeds, it emphasizes the exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha. Through these recitations the entirety of the Six Paramitas will naturally be awakened in us.
In contrast, practitioners who rely on self-power, must deliberately weigh their giving before they give. While giving, they may calculate, “How much have I given? How much merit have I accumulated?” They may also calculate how much they can give without affecting their livelihood or business. Patience is similar—when criticized or insulted, they remind themselves, “I must endure; I must practice patience.”
(to be continued tomorrow)
33問 (5 /6)：
阿彌陀佛給我們的不是金銀財寶，而是極樂世界，極樂世界的寶，地面上 都是黃金。我們這裏的房子是磚塊砌成的，極樂世界的磚塊是黃金；最豐富的 就是給我們無量光、無量壽，給我們與阿彌陀佛一樣的四十八大願——是給 我們這些東西啊！那個時候，我們就會感受到：「我太富有了，不應該有、卻 有那麼多東西。」今天，我們拿出這麼一點點給人家，還會吝嗇嗎？今天人家 欠我們一點點，我們一定要苦苦地追討回來，會這樣嗎？不會了，這些已經 不計較了。心就會轉化。
所以，淨土法門雖然不強調六度萬行，只強調一向稱名，可是六度萬行就 會在懂得一向稱名的人的內心自然流露出來。
而自力修行者，未布施以前要強調布施，而且布施的時候，會在心中盤算 「我布施了多少，有了多少功德」，甚至盤算：「我現在要布施，我要拿出多少 錢，這些拿出去，必須是不影響自己的家境、生活，不影響自己的事業；如果 有影響的話，那就要斟酌。」忍辱也是一樣，今天受人家批評謾罵，就會在心 中說：「要忍呀、要忍呀，要有修行。」
Namo Amituofo!
