Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Metaphor 60: Genes for Perfect Enlightenment (3 /5 continued)
Rebirth [in the Pure Land] is a Birthless Birth
Second, rebirth [in the Pure Land] is a birthless birth; which is referred to as a “birth by transformation”. This type of birth is brought about by Amitabha’s pure Primal Vow. It is a birth transformed from within the Buddha’s Flower of
Enlightenment, not one of the illusory births in samsara. It is a non-birth that we speak of as a transformation birth.
Non-arising Yet Manifesting Birth
Third, “non-arising yet manifesting birth”; this is called transformation birth. The flower of Perfect Enlightenment blossoms and gives birth; it is unborn and undying. Though unborn, it manifests birth, with all marks and characteristics perfectly present. The adornment of these marks is itself the Dharma Body. Because it is unborn yet manifests birth, it is called transformation-birth.
Amitabha Buddha is the Dharma Body, neither arising nor ceasing. Therefore, the lotus of Amitabha’s perfect Enlightenment is likewise unborn and undying. Though unborn, it manifests birth, and all features are perfectly complete. As Tanluan said, “The adornments of marks and characteristics are precisely the Dharma Body.” Hence, “non-arising yet manifesting birth; it is called transformation birth.”
(to be continued tomorrow)
60. 基因喻 (續 3 /5)
♦ 生即無生
第二，生即無生，故說化生 —— 既是正覺花生，此生非實生，即是彌陀清淨 本願無生之生。非實生故，說為化生。
既然是「正覺華化生」，就不是三界六道輪迴的生，而是彌陀清淨國土無 生之生，所以說「生即無生，故說化生」。
♦ 無生現生
第三，無生現生，故說化生 —— 正覺花生，無生無滅；無生現生，諸相宛然； 相好莊嚴，即是法身。無生現生，說為化生。
阿彌陀佛是法身，不生不滅，所以，阿彌陀佛的正覺蓮花也是無生無滅的 ，無生現生，而且眾相圓滿，曇鸞大師說「相好莊嚴即是法身」，故「無生現生， 故說化生」。
Namo Amituofo!
