Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Continued Answer to Q37:
On the other hand, we must also evaluate the other person’s capacity. Are they able to accept it? How likely are they to accept it? If we feel that the person cannot accept it at all, or might even slander it, then we should be more cautious. But, if we think the person is able to accept it, we should consider what method can best help them to accept it. Since our goal is to help them receive it, we should at that time employ various kinds of skillful means.
In short, we must enrich and strengthen ourselves first. Only someone who knows how to swim can rescue a person drowning in the water. If we do not know how to swim, not only can we not save others, we may need others to save us.
Therefore, we must first receive the benefit. After receiving the benefit, sometimes even without deliberate effort, we will naturally influence others. This is called “benefiting oneself and benefiting others”. Only by benefiting oneself can one benefit others. Only after we believe and accept can we help others to believe and accept.
If our own acceptance and faith are very shallow, it is not that we cannot help others believe and accept; but, the effect will naturally be quite limited. Therefore, everything must first begin with oneself.
37問：
續答：另一方面還要觀察對方的根性，他能不能接受、接受的可能性有多少？ 如果覺得對方完全不能接受，甚至會誹謗，那麼我們就要斟酌了；如果覺得對 方是可以接受的，那用什麼方式才能使對方接受呢？我們的目的是要使他接 受，所以這個時候就要有種種的善巧方便。
總之，要充實自己，唯有會游泳的人，才能去救沉溺在水中的人；如果自 己不會游泳，不僅談不上救人，反而需要人家來救。所以，我們自己必須先受 益，受益之後，有時候不必刻意，自自然然就會影響到別人。「自利利他」，唯 有自利，才能利他。唯有自己信受之後，才能使人信受。如果自己信受的程度非常膚淺，要讓人家信受，當然不是不可能，只是成分會很低的。所以，一切 要先從自己做起。
Namo Amituofo!
