Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
180. Attaining Buddhahood in Ten Kalpas (3 /3)
Master Tanluan, in his Verse in Praise of Amitabha Buddha, says:
Since Amitabha attained Buddhahood, ten kalpas have passed; Yet his lifespan is immeasurable.
The radiant wheel of his Dharma-body pervades the Dharma-realm, Illuminating the darkness of the deluded world—therefore I bow in reverence.
Master Shandao, in his In Praise of the Dharma Rites, also says:
Since he sat in perfect enlightenment, ten kalpas have passed; His mind embraces the Dharma-realm and shines with compassionate light.
From this we can see that the teaching of ten kalpas since Buddhahood is more suited to our capacities, and more effective in guiding sentient beings to faith and acceptance. It provides a concrete concept while also revealing that, although only ten kalpas have passed since Amitabha attained Buddhahood, his lifespan is immeasurable. Therefore, the opportunities for him to widely liberate sentient beings in the future are likewise immeasurable. For beings throughout the endless future—no matter the era or the circumstances—there will always be the opportunity to receive Amitabha’s saving deliverance.
180 十劫成佛 (續 3 /3 )
曇鸞大師〈讚阿彌陀佛偈〉說：
成佛以來歷十劫，壽命方將無有量，
法身光輪遍法界，照世盲冥故頂禮。
善導大師《法事讚》亦說：
正坐以來經十劫，心緣法界照慈光。
可知，成佛十劫對我們來講比較契機，比較容易接引眾生來信受。因為有 一個具體的概念，同時也顯示既然阿彌陀佛成佛以來才十劫而已，他的壽命 是無有限量的，可見未來廣度眾生的機會也是無有限量，盡未來的眾生，不 管哪個時代，哪個時節，都有受彌陀救度的機會。
Namo Amituofo!
