Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
180. Attaining Buddhahood in Ten Kalpas (1 /3)
The Amitabha Sutra states:
“Since Amitabha Buddha attained Buddhahood, ten kalpas have now passed.”
The Larger Sutra likewise says:
“Since attaining Buddhahood, ten kalpas have elapsed.”
Regarding the time when Amitabha Buddha attained Buddhahood, there have traditionally been two explanations: the “ten-kalpa Buddhahood” view and the “Buddhahood since the distant past” view.
According to the Three Pure Land Sutras, Amitabha Buddha attained Buddhahood ten kalpas ago. However, according to the Lotus Sutra and the Surangama Sutra, Amitabha Buddha had already attained Buddhahood in the inconceivably distant past. Then, from the perspective of the Pure Land school, which explanation is correct ?
(to be continued tomorrow)
180 十劫成佛 (1 /3 )
《阿彌陀經》說：「阿彌陀佛成佛以來，於今十劫。」
《大經》亦說：「成佛以來，凡歷十劫。」
關於阿彌陀佛成佛的時間，自古以來便有「十劫成佛說」與「久遠成佛 說」。依淨土三經，阿彌陀佛是十劫以前成佛；但是依《法華經》、《楞嚴經》， 阿彌陀佛在久遠劫就已經成佛了。
那麼，以淨土宗來說，是重視哪個說法呢？
Namo Amituofo!
