Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (II)
淨土釋疑(二)
Question 51: Can we put it this way? When practicing this Dharma gate, we do not need to, nor should we, strive for the highest tier of rebirth; or work especially hard at reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha until we attain one-mindedness or samadhi. Rather, we should simply have faith, aspire for rebirth, and exclusively recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. In addition, because we continue to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, our faith and aspiration naturally deepen. Is it enough to simply let this process unfold naturally? Also, does striving to attain samadhi involve an element of self-power?
Answer to Q51: Yes, that is correct. In other words, according to our individual capacities, we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha to whatever extent we are able. However, even if our recitation reaches a certain level, we should not think that this makes Amitabha’s deliverance more effective, makes our rebirth more secure, or gives us a higher tier of rebirth. Conversely, even if our recitation does not reach any particular state, we should not feel inferior, think that our rebirth is uncertain, or that we will attain a lower tier of rebirth. If we hold such ideas, then we are no longer practitioners of this Dharma gate.
(to be continued tomorrow)
第51問：可不可以這樣說：學這個法門不是、也不須要追求上品上生，或努力 加倍的念佛直到一心不亂或三昧定，而只是信願行，一直念佛；也因為一直念 佛，信願又輾轉加深。是不是這樣自然而然的運作下去就可以了？ 另外，努 力追求入三昧，這樣是不是有自力的成份?
答：是這樣沒有錯。也就是說，隨自己的根機能念佛到什麼地步就到什麼 地步，即使念到某一個地步，也不要認為這樣對阿彌陀佛的救度更有幫助、往生更可靠、品位更高超。即使沒有到任何地步，也不要自卑，認為自己往生 不定或品位不高。若有這樣的觀念，就不是我們這個法門的行人了。
Namo Amituofo!
