Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
184. Classification and Convergence of the Forty-Eight Vows (3 /4 continued)
From this we see that Master Shandao adopts the method of “convergence into a single vow.” The vows embracing the Dharma-Body, the Pure Land, and sentient beings, are originally one integrated whole. They are mutually inclusive and correspond to Amitabha’s Original Vow and the realm of Buddhahood. The 48 Vows are the total expression of Amitabha’s Buddha-body, Buddha-land, and the deliverance of sentient beings—each vow contains all three aspects.
Going further, both the vows embracing the Dharma-Body and those embracing the Pure Land ultimately aim at the extensive liberation of sentient beings. Amitabha becomes the Buddha of Immeasurable Light (the 12th. Vow) and Immeasurable Life (the 13th. Vow), and is praised by all Buddhas (the 17th. Vow); he vows to establish the Pure Land in the West (the 31st. and 32nd. Vows) —all for the sake of enabling beings to be reborn and attain Buddhahood. Thus, the three great categories are in fact one great vow—the vow to embrace sentient beings.
The core of this vow is the Eighteenth Vow. Therefore, the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra (Section on Meditative Virtues) states: “Among the 48 Vows, it is solely clarified that exclusive recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha results in birth.” Each and every one of the 48 Great Vows proclaims that, by exclusively reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha, one will certainly be born in the Pure Land.
Apart from saving sentient beings, Amitabha has no other goal. Apart from accepting Amitabha’s salvation, sentient beings don’t need to seek anything else. Amitabha is a Buddha who lives “for the sake of beings” (a body for others). Even his “self-enjoyment” is entirely redirected to the ten directions as “enjoyment for others.” Thus, the supreme vows made in his causal ground, the supreme practices cultivated over countless kalpas, and the resulting fruition of immeasurable light and life after attaining Buddhahood; simultaneously become the supreme cause, practice, and result for sentient beings who exclusively recite Namo Amitabha Buddha.
The rebirth of sentient beings depends upon Amitabha’s perfect enlightenment for its accomplishment; and Amitabha’s perfect enlightenment, in turn, sees the rebirth of sentient beings as its fulfillment. Therefore, the Amitabha-reciter and Amitabha Buddha are intimately close, inseparable, and of one body.
(to be continued tomorrow)
184 四十八願的分類與結歸 (3/4)
由此可見，善導大師所採為「一願結歸法」：攝法身願、攝淨土願、攝眾生 願原是一體，互相涵攝，契合彌陀本願與佛之境界。四十八願實為佛身、佛 土、救度眾生的總體展現，亦即「願願三攝」，「影略互顯」。
若進一步而言，攝法身願、攝淨土願，皆以廣度眾生為目的。阿彌陀佛成 為光明無量（第十二願）、壽命無量（第十三願）的佛，並令諸佛稱揚其名號（第 十七願），發願在西方建立淨土（第三十一、第三十二願），都是為了讓眾生往 生成佛，故三大願即是一大願——攝眾生願。攝眾生願的核心即為第十八願，
所以《觀經疏‧定善義》言：「四十八願中，唯明專念彌陀名號得生。」四十八大 願每一願每一願，都是在說「專念彌陀佛名，必生彌陀淨土」。
Namo Amituofo!
