Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
181. The Profound Meaning of the Fifty-Three Buddhas (continued 3 /4) (3) To show that Amitabha’s vows surpass those of all other Buddhas.
The many Buddhas listed earlier serve as examples and references for the vast vows later made by Bodhisattva Dharmakara. Their mention prepares the ground for Dharmākara’s eventual attainment of Buddhahood.
(4) To show that Amitabha Buddha is the sole savior for ordinary, deluded beings.
From the distant past onward, every Buddha who appeared in the world taught and delivered immeasurable beings, enabling those whose wholesome roots had matured to attain liberation. However, the sutra says: “All these Buddhas have already passed.” Yet we ourselves have again and again missed the opportunity to be saved by these Buddhas.
(to be continued tomorrow)
181 五十三佛之深意 (續 3 /4)
（三）顯明彌陀誓願超越諸佛。前面列舉這麼多佛，都是為法藏菩薩超發弘 願提供參考範本，都是為法藏菩薩成佛作鋪墊。
（四）顯明阿彌陀佛是凡愚眾生的唯一救主。過去久遠以來每尊佛出世， 都會教化度脫無量眾生，善根成熟者也都得到解脫。然而「如此諸佛，皆悉已 過」，我們卻一次又一次地漏於諸佛救度。
Namo Amituofo!
