Clarifying Doubts about the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Answer to Q42: (2 /3)
If one thinks, "If I become unconscious and cannot recite Namo Amitabha Buddha at the moment of death, then I cannot be reborn.” This is a form of self-power within Other Power. In other words, one is relying on one's own ability and merit, dedicating that merit toward rebirth, and hoping that Amitabha will come to save you. That is not the true meaning of our Pure Land teaching.
Therefore, in the Pure Land path, rebirth is settled now. Right now, we are already one with Amitabha Buddha. On the one hand, Amitabha's life is within our hearts; on the other hand, our lives are within Amitabha's heart.
Amitabha's heart is light. Amitabha's light "illuminates the lands of the ten directions without obstruction." Which beings are embraced by that unobstructed, infinite light? It embraces those who exclusively recite Namo
Amitabha Buddha. All beings who thus recite, dwell eternally within the light by which Amitabha embraces them. Therefore, living within His light now, at the moment one dies one is reborn in His Pure Land of Infinite Light.
Only the Pure Land teaching is something that ordinary people in this present life can truly practice. Moreover, among the eighty-four thousand Dharma gates, it is the supreme teaching. Therefore, the Pure Land path is a perfect and sudden Dharma gate.
The six-character sentence ("Namo Amitabha Buddha") contains all merits and virtues in their entirety—this is its perfection. The moment one exclusively recites Namo Amitabha Buddha with true faith is the moment one's rebirth is settled—this is its suddenness. Therefore, it is called a perfect and sudden teaching.
Furthermore, it is easy to practice. Its attainment is exceedingly lofty, and all who truly rely upon it can attain rebirth. Such is the Pure Land teaching.
If it were otherwise, it would no longer be the Pure Land teaching.
No matter how inferior a being you may think you are, and no matter how difficult it is for you to practice, you can still receive Amitabha Buddha's salvation. In fact, Amitabha's salvation was originally intended precisely for beings who are unable to practice effectively on their own.
(to be continued tomorrow)
42問：
答 (2 / 3)：
如果認為說，昏迷了不能念就不行，必須是靠臨終念佛，那是「他力中的 自力」——靠自己念佛的功夫、功德來祈求彌陀迎接，來迴向往生。那就不是 我們淨土法門的內涵了。
所以，淨土法門是現在就決定往生，現在就跟阿彌陀佛一體。一方面是阿 彌陀佛的生命在我們的心中，另一方面是我們的生命在彌陀的心中。 彌陀的心就是光明嘛！阿彌陀佛的光明「照十方國，無所障礙」；那無所障礙 的無量光明是攝取哪一種眾生呢？攝取念佛的眾生。凡是稱名念佛的眾生， 都永恆地處在彌陀攝取的光明裏面。所以，現在在他的光明中，一斷氣就在 他的無量光明土。
唯有淨土法門才是我們今世可學得來、可擁有的，同時，它是八萬四千法 門當中最高的法門。所以，淨土法門是一個圓頓的法門。六字名號具足一切 功德，就是「圓」；當下信受、當下修持，當下決定往生，就是「頓」，所以是圓頓 的法門。而且下手容易、成就很高、萬修萬人去的，就是這個淨土法門。
如果不是這樣的話，就不是淨土法門了。
你是再怎樣低劣的眾生、再怎樣無能的眾生、再怎樣不會修的眾生，都能 夠獲得阿彌陀佛的救度！而且本來阿彌陀佛的救度就是要救度這種不會修 行的眾生嘛！
Namo Amituofo!
