June 9 2019

Jun 9, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching

機法深信

Because of the two kinds of deep faith, a person realizes he cannot perfect any of the 84,000 teachings, and has nothing to rely on. At this point of no-return, and no escape on the two sides, he can only step on the white path.

Walking on the white path is a sign of having the two kinds of deep faith. While walking along the white path, what other teaching among the 84,000 teachings can we rely on? We must go straight with right attention. This kind of sentient being has already been embraced and received by Amitabha Buddha; so, he will never fall into the disasters of fire and water, never retrogress, and never reincarnate in the Three Domains and the Six Realms again.

因為有「機法兩種深信」,八萬四千法門就沒有一個法門學得來了,因為他一無所靠,後退無路,兩邊也無活路,就像走在白道上。

走在白道上就是機法兩種深信的現象,走在白道之上,八萬四千法門怎麼還有一個法門可以靠得上呢?他一定是正念直來,這種眾生已經在阿彌陀佛的攝受當中,不可能再墮入水火之難了,也不可能後退,將不再輪迴於六道。

Namo Amituofo!

June 2 2019

Jun 2, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

If a person has the two kinds of deep faith (in aptitude and in teaching,) he will naturally, without being forced, recite Amitabha’s Name without forsaking. It is because he has a mouth to recite the Name, and a mind to produce the thought to recite, that the two kinds of deep faith can be transformed into the Name.

一個人如果有「機法兩種深信」,就會毫不勉強、自自然然的「念念不捨」。

因為有嘴巴就能出聲,有心就會起心動念,只是將他轉為名號而已。

Namo Amituofo!

May 24 2019

May 24, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching

機法深信

We are iniquitous sentient beings. If we study and practice the teachings that we come across under assorted circumstances, we still cannot leave the cycle of birth-and-death. However, if we accept the practice of name-recitation that Amitabha Buddha selects for us, we can be reborn to become Buddhas. So, recollecting the Buddha and reciting the Buddha’s Name are the causes, and rebirth to become a Buddha are the effects.

我們是罪惡生死凡夫,如果依照各自接觸的雜緣去學的話,還是不離生死;如果接受阿彌陀佛為我們所選擇的稱名念佛,就能夠往生成佛。所以, 憶佛、念佛是因,往生成佛是果。

Namo Amituofo!

May 17 2019

May 17, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching

機法深信

Ordinary beings deeply believe that all of their threefold karma are offenses resulting in everlasting reincarnation, and they have no power to leave the Three Domains. However, they are the targets of Amitabha’s deliverance through his compassionate vows. If these ordinary beings, with fear and anxiety in their minds, understand the reality of Amitabha’ embrace, protection and deliverance, through his Fundamental Vow; and if they undoubtedly believe and accept his deliverance, they will instantly attain assured rebirth. This is the meaning of “undoubtedly, they are assured of rebirth with recourse to the Buddha’s vow power”.

It is also said in the Great Sutra, “If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. I further vow that, when I have become a Buddha, I shall carry out this promise everywhere, and among all fear-ridden beings I shall give great peace. I take pity on living beings and resolve to save them all. Those who come from the ten quarters, shall find joy and serenity of heart. My compassionate heart eternally delivers sentient beings from Avici Hell and all other suffering.”

凡夫深信自己三業都是罪惡,永沉輪迴,無出三界之力;然此凡夫是彌陀深生悲愍,為其發願立誓所要救度的對象,此凡夫恐懼不安的心中，體悟彌陀本願力的攝護救度之真實,而毫無疑慮地信受彌陀本願之救度，當下即時獲得往生決定,此即「無疑無慮,乘彼願力,定得往生」之意。

亦即《大經》所言:「設我得佛,十方眾生，若不生者，不取正覺。」「吾誓得佛,普行此願,一切恐懼,為作大安。」「我當愍哀,度脫一切,十方來生，心悅清淨。」「常運慈心拔有情，度盡阿鼻苦眾生」的宗旨。

Namo Amituofo!@

May 8 2019

May 8, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

The main cause of rebirth is two kinds of deep faith, without a single thought of doubt. Regardless of attaining meditative and non-meditative virtues, and committing the gravest offenses, rebirth of all sentient beings of the ten directions depends on this kind of faith – deep belief in “attaining rebirth by reciting Amitabha’s name - for one’s whole life, ten times, one time, or even for one thought”.

When this kind of deep faith arises in one’s mind at the time near death, one can be reborn in the Land of Bliss at that moment, even if one doesn’t have enough time to recite orally. If a person is able to extend his life , he should recite this Name for the the remainder of his life.

一念無疑的二種深信是往生的正因，不論定善，不論散善，不論逆惡，十方所 有一切眾生，往生在此信心，信「上盡一形，下至十聲一聲一念，亦得往生」。

發起此信之當時即已臨終，來不及口稱念佛，則當下往生極樂；若壽命延長之 間，則盡形壽稱名念佛。

Namo Amituofo!

Apr 29 2019

Apr. 29, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

The “two kinds of deep faith - in teaching and in aptitude” refer to faith, while the “karma of assurance of rebirth” refers to practice (name-recitation). It shows that our belief in the practice of name-recitation according to the Fundamental Vow is basically one entity. Faith and practice are non-dual and inseparable.

Master Shandao also says in the Preface of the Rites of Rebirth, Deep Faith is the genuine belief – to know we are ordinary beings full of afflictions, shallow and weak in roots of virtues, destined to reincarnate within the Three Domains, and incapable of leaving the burning house.

Now, we believe in Amitabha’s great Fundamental Vow, and understand that we are assured of rebirth by reciting Amitabha’s Name ten times or even once. Because we have no doubts it is called Deep Faith.

「二種深信」之文是就信（信心）而言，「正定業」之文是就行（稱名）而言 ；顯示信本願之念佛是信行一體、信行不二、信行不離。

此義善導大師之《往生禮讚》的前序亦言：「深心」即是「真實信心」：信知 自身是具足煩惱凡夫，善根薄少，流轉三界，不出火宅。

今信知彌陀本弘誓願 ；及稱名號，下至十聲一聲等，定得往生；乃至一念無有疑心，故名深心。

Namo Amituofo!

Apr 20 2019

Apr 20, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching

機法深信

A person with the two kinds of deep faith (in aptitude and in teaching), is considered to clearly believe in Buddha’s wisdom. It means he will live in Amitabha’s light forever, and his rebirth has been determined in this lifetime. It is known as “assured rebirth attained in this lifetime”, without waiting for auspicious accounts, or assisted recitation near the end-of-life. He is already living within Amitabha’s embrace, and being nurtured by Amitabha’s compassionate mind.

On one side, he has his habitual behaviors, due to greed, anger, delusion, vexation, false and miscellaneous thoughts. However, at the same time, he realizes he is incapable of cutting off this heavy habitual behavior. Due to this understanding his heart becomes softened, regretful, and ashamed. He also realizes what is true for him is true for all others. This understanding fosters compassion and kindness toward all.

一個機法二信的人，就是明信佛智，就是永在彌陀的光明當中，他的往生是平 生就已經決定了，這就是平生業成了，不必等臨終瑞相，也不必等臨終的助念 ，他是活在阿彌陀佛的懷抱當中，他是過著薰染彌陀悲心的生活。

他內心一方面有自己貪瞋癡煩惱妄想雜念這些習氣，也因為感覺體悟到自己這 種習氣習性濃厚難以斷絕，所以這顆心就柔軟下來，有慚恥之心，體會到一即 一切，所以了解別人也有這種心，因而互相包容、互相體諒。

Namo Amituofo!

Apr 11 2019

Apr 11, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

False thoughts flying around during Amitabha-recitation are natural and normal because we are ordinary beings. We are the main targets of Amitabha’s deliverance. If we do not have false thoughts, we are already sages, who are not those to be delivered by Amitabha.

Having false thoughts, we should deeply believe in aptitude and teaching as one. If we think in this way, our false thoughts are the source of regret, humility, comfort, and the bliss of the teaching.

念佛時妄想紛飛乃自然之事，有妄想才是凡夫，才是彌陀正客；若無妄想，已是聖眾，則非彌陀救度之對象。

故應以有妄想而更深信機法一體；能作此想， 則妄想即是慚愧、謙卑，與安慰、法喜之源。

Namo Amituofo!

Apr 2 2019

Apr 2, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

During the present life, we exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name and aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss without changing our minds. At the same time, we also realize and affirm Amitabha’s compassionate deliverance, and our inferior aptitude. These are known as “the two kinds of faith - in teaching and in aptitude”.

Those who have the two kinds of faith (in teaching and in aptitude) will change in mind-nature, temperament, speech, and actions. Owing to these changes, their unfavorable karmic habits and circumstances will follow as well.

平生都專念彌陀名號，而且願生極樂，堅定不移，同時對彌陀的悲心救度有了 體認，對自己的卑微下賤有了體認，這就是機法二信。
有機法二信的人，他的心性、氣質、言行都會有改變的，既有這樣的改變，他 的不良業習、遭遇也會隨之而改變。

Namo Amituofo!

Mar 25 2019

Mar 25, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings concerning Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

(continued)
Once we have deep faith in aptitude, our mind-nature will naturally become soft. So, the way that we determine whether we have deep faith in aptitude, can be judged by whether we have regret, softness, and tenderness of mind. On the other side, if we have deep faith in teaching we think, Amitabha Buddha loves us, so we have to love others.

If we are sages, we can fully love others. However, as we are ordinary beings, we cannot fully love others. Just because of this, our mind will become soft and we feel regretful.

有了「機深信」的話，心性自然會柔和，所以，有沒有機的深信？也可從自己的心有沒有慚愧、柔和、柔軟……來判斷。
另一方面，如果有法的深信，自然就會「阿彌陀佛愛我們，我們也去愛他人。」

如果是聖人的話，就會做得很圓滿。我們是凡夫，所以做得不圓滿；因為不圓滿，才更要有柔軟心，更要有慚愧心。

Namo Amituofo!

Mar 24 2019

Mar 24, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

As a Buddhist, we should follow what the Buddha taught in the precepts, and take them as the basic disciplines in the three actions (karma) in our daily life. So, whether it is the Sagely Path or the Pure Land Path, we should go forward towards purity, and aim to become a Buddha. We should do our best in living the precepts. If we don’t understand this concept, we are not Buddhists.

Furthermore, in attempting to live the precepts, we find what we want to do and know what we should do, but cannot. Though we would like to do it, our habitual behaviors obstruct us. We have no way to subdue these habits on our own; so, we need to rely on Amitabha’s deliverance. If this is what we are experiencing, we have “deep faith in aptitude.”
(to be continued tomorrow)

我們是一個學佛的人，必須依照佛所講的戒作為我們三業以及生活的基本規範。所以，不管聖道門也好，淨土門也好，基本上都要有向上、向淨、學佛而成佛之心，都希望能做好佛陀所要求的戒律，如果沒有這一種觀念，就不是學佛人了。

再進一步，他發現自己有心無力，應該做而做不到，心雖有所嚮往，可是業障來了，習氣來了，沒辦法降伏，所以才需要歸入彌陀的救度，如果是這樣的話，就有機的深信。

Namo Amituofo!

Mar 16 2019

Mar 16, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

With respect to aptitude of sentient beings, there are hundreds and thousands, but it can be summarized into four:
1. Sharp in root of virtues without gravest transgressions, like Ananda
2. Dull in root of virtues without gravest transgressions, like Shuddhipanthaka
3. Sharp in root of virtues with gravest transgressions, like Ajatashatru
4. Dull in root of virtues with gravest transgressions, like those at the lowest level in low tier

With respect to quantity of teachings, though there are 84,000, it can be summarized into four:
1. Splendid but not easy, like Tientai (the Lotus Sutra), Chan and Tantric
2. Easy but not splendid, like the Path of Importance of the Pure Land teaching
3. Not easy and not splendid, like Agama in Theravada Buddhism
4. Easy and splendid, like the Path of Great Vow of the Pure Land teaching

若論眾生根機，雖謂千差萬別，可歸納為四：
一、利根無逆罪，如阿難等；
二、鈍根無逆罪，如般陀等；
三、利根造逆罪，如阿闍等；
四、鈍根造逆罪，如下品等。

若論法門數量，雖謂八萬四千，亦可歸納為四：
一、勝而非易，如法華、天台與禪密；
二、易而非勝，如淨土要門；
三、非勝非易，如小乘阿含；
四、亦易亦勝，如弘願念佛。

Namo Amituofo!

Mar 9 2019

Mar 9, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

To receive and accept Amitabha’s compassion means belief in aptitude and in teaching. Belief in aptitude and in teaching is a kind of faith that is very deep and firm; so, it is called “deep faith” and is a determinant factor.

領受彌陀的慈悲就是信機、信法。信機、信法這種信，是很深刻的信，叫做 「深信」，深信就是決定性的信。

Namo Amituofo!

Feb 28 2019

Feb 28, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

Amitabha-recitation with determinant faith and Amitabha-recitation with faith in the Name are of the same kind, because the connotation of determinant faith is the Name. This Name is Amitabha Buddha’s vow power, which is totally manifested in the Name. There are two aspects in faith: one is faith in aptitude, and the other is faith in teaching. Actually, these two aspects have the same context, but are just explained separately in two aspects.

信心決定的念佛，以及信名號的念佛，這兩種是一種。因為信心決定的內容， 就是這句名號。這句名號就是阿彌陀佛的願力，阿彌陀佛的願力完全顯現在這 句名號中。 信心有兩個方面：一方面就是信機，一方面就是信法。這兩方面實際上是一個 內容，只是分開來解釋而已。

Namo Amituofo!

Feb 19 2019

Feb 19, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

Who are the targets of Amitabha’s deliverance? We don’t need to find the answer from the commentaries in books, or ask other people. We ask ourselves, who are we? Then we will know what kind of people are the targets of Amitabha’s
deliverance.

阿彌陀佛要救度的對象是誰，我們不用去尋找書本上的其他批註，也不必問別人，我們問問自己──自己是什麼東西，就可以知道阿彌陀佛所要救度的對象是怎麼樣的對象。

Namo Amituofo!

Feb 10 2019

Feb 10, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信
(continued)

Deep belief in teaching refers to deep belief in Amitabha Buddha’s compassion and deliverance. To us, Amitabha Buddha’s compassion and kindness are absolute. He treats each of us as his only child. He loves us, protects us, and delivers us unconditionally, equally, thoroughly, and without any reservations.

Above all, all Buddhists should have deep belief in aptitude and deep belief in teachings. In that way, they will have no vexations or disputes with others.

對法的深信，就是對阿彌陀佛的慈悲，對阿彌陀佛的救度深信。阿彌陀佛對我們是絕對的包容、徹底的原諒，把我們當成他的獨子，沒有任何條件、差別，徹徹底底、毫無的保留的來愛我們、護我們、救我們。

總而言之，學佛的人要有「機」、「法」的深信，自然就較不會煩惱、計較。

Namo Amituofo!

Feb 9 2019

Feb 9, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

In Pure Land teaching, we realize we bear heavy karmic obstructions, incapable of sufficient meditative practices to liberate ourselves from the Three domains, and the Six Realms. We must accept and receive Amitabha’s deliverance with deep gratitude. This is known as “belief in aptitude” and “belief in teaching.”

Belief in aptitude – aptitude refers to us. We believe and realize our karmic obstructions are heavy, and the nature of our evil is severe. Through accepting these truths, our minds become yielding and we become humble. In all matters, we will no longer be arrogant, argumentative, or critical.

A true Buddhist should realize this principle easily, because he will be fully exposed, and see his original face through the mirror of the Buddhist teachings. At that moment, he dares not see “himself”; but, feels deeply regretful and ashamed. This is
known as “deep belief in aptitude”.
(to be continued tomorrow)

淨土法門就是一方面體會自己業障深重，沒有能力修行，沒有能力了脫三界六道輪迴，必須領受阿彌陀佛愛心的救度，就是──「信機」跟「信法」。

信機，「機」就是自己，體悟、相信自己是罪業深重、惡性強盛的人。如此他的心就會柔軟、謙卑下來，凡事不會貢高我慢，不會去計較、批評、爭奪。

真正學佛的人，很容易體悟這個道理。因為學佛的人，若以法鏡來照自己，就會原形畢露，顯現自己的本來面目，那時候，我們連看都不敢看，會非常的慚愧，感覺非常的丟臉，這就是對機的深信。

Namo Amituofo!

Jan 31 2019

Jan 31, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

Two fundamentals of the Pure Land teaching are deep faith in aptitude and deep faith in teaching. With deep faith in aptitude, a person will become humble and modest. With deep faith in teaching, he will become compassionate and accommodating to other people, in the same way Amitabha Buddha treats us.

With deep faith in aptitude, our temperament will change. With the change in temperament, our behavior will change. With the change in behavior, our habits will change. With the change in habits, our personality will change. The change in our personality can change the fate of our lives.

Above all, with the deep faith in teaching, our mind, temperament, behavior and personality will change. In addition to that, we can realize a state of tranquility, which can also improve our mindset and personality.

淨土法門的根本，是深信「機」、深信「法」。有「機」的深信，人就會謙卑柔和；有「法」的深信，就會對他人恩慈體貼，就好像阿彌陀佛對我們一樣。

對「機」深信，會改變我們的氣質：氣質改變，行為就會改變；行為改變，習慣就會改變；習慣改變，個性就會改變；個性改變命運就會改變。

總之，對「法」深信，心性、氣質、行為、個性也都會改變。除此之外，念佛如果有寂靜的體會，心境、個性也會改變。

Namo Amituofo!

Jan 21 2019

Jan 21, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

Master Shandao teaches us that Deep faith in teaching means: “When sentient beings recite the Buddha’s name they must be reborn.” To understand deep faith in aptitude, we can ask ourselves: If we affirm that we have no karmic condition to leave the cycle of birth-and-death, we will have deep faith in aptitude within our affirmation.

Because of “when sentient beings recite the Buddha’s name , they must be reborn,” a Pure Land practitioner is better off discarding any idea of pursuing any kind of feeling during Amitabha-recitation.

法深信，就是善導大師所講的：「眾生稱念，必得往生。」至於機深信，我們可以自問：若真確認自己無有出離之緣的話，機的深信就在裏面了。

因為「眾生稱念，必得往生」，所以淨土行人最好不要去追尋某一種感受，要把那種觀念捨掉。

Namo Amituofo!

Jan 13 2019

Jan 13, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Deep Faith in Aptitude and Teaching
機法深信

(continued)
We feel “falling” and “being rescued” at the same time. Our mind is at ease and joyful. We are grateful and feel regretted. Because of the internal fermentation of the aptitude of feeling evil and the teaching of compassionate great vow, we change in our temperament.

Being stubborn and mean in the past, we become soft and tender with no argument now. Lacking of compassion and kindness in the past, we become compassionate now. Facing all adverse circumstances and failure, we review our faults and karmic conditions in past life, and do not blame others. In our daily life, we will have faith in the Budhha, have regrets to ourselves and have loving-kindness to others.

墮落與被救是同時感受到的。心中有平安、喜樂，有感恩、慚愧；因為機的罪惡感在內心發露與法的大悲願在內心發酵，故性情會轉變。

以前剛強計較，現在柔和不爭；以前缺乏慈愛，現在有了悲心；凡一切的逆境挫折，都會反省是自己的過失，或宿世的罪業，而不會責怪別人。此後的生活是對佛有信心，對己有愧心，對人有愛心。

Namo Amituofo!