Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
184. Classification and Convergence of the Forty-Eight Vows (1 /4)
The 48 Vows are the concrete manifestation of Bodhisattva Dharmakara’s vow-mind. They are also the blueprint of salvation he formulated after five kalpas of profound and meticulous contemplation.
I. Classifications by Various Masters: The Threefold Divisions
Many masters divide the 48 Vows into three categories:
1. Vows Embracing the Dharma-Body (also called “Vows Seeking the Buddha-Body”)
Dharmakara vowed that, upon attaining Buddhahood, his body would possess immeasurable light and immeasurable life, and that he would be praised by all Buddhas in the ten directions.
These include - his Immeasurable Light, Immeasurable Life, and Name (Praised by all Buddhas); as stated in the 12th, 13th and 17th Vows respectively.
2. Vows Establishing the Western Pure Land
He vowed that the Buddha-land he would establish would be entirely free from afflictions, utterly pure, perfectly adorned, and surpassing all worldly realms.
These include: the 31st. Vow - Purity of the Land; and the 32nd. Vow - Adornment of the Land.
3. Vows Embracing Sentient Beings (also called “Vows Benefiting Sentient Beings”)
These vows aim to bring peace and happiness to beings in the present life and enable them, in future lives, to attain Buddhahood and liberate others. Apart from the five vows mentioned above, the remaining 43 vows fall into this category, with the 18th Vow as the core.
(to be continued tomorrow)
184 四十八願的分類與結歸 (1 /4)
四十八願是法藏菩薩願心的具體展現，亦是他歷經五劫深細思惟所規劃 出的救度綱領。
一、諸師的分類：三願配當
諸師多將四十八願分成三類：
① 攝法身願：又稱「求佛身願」。法藏菩薩發願將來成佛時，其身具足無量 光明、無量壽命，並獲十方諸佛稱讚。包括第十二光明無量願、第十三壽命無 量願、第十七諸佛稱揚願。
② 攝淨土願：又稱「求佛土願」。發願所成佛土無一切煩惱，純然清淨，莊 嚴完備，超出一切世間。包括第三十一國土清淨願、第三十二國土嚴飾願。
③ 攝眾生願：又稱「利眾生願」。為令十方眾生，現生使其安樂幸福，來生 使其成佛度生。除前述五願外，餘之四十三願，核心是第十八願。
Namo Amituofo!
