October 28 2020

Oct 28, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

A true Buddhist who believes in the Buddha’s teachings, and believes in Amitabha’s great kindness, great compassion, and deliverance; should never have the following wrong thinking: I can commit all the offenses I like because, when I am near my death, I can simply recite Amitabha’s Name to eradicate all of my sins.

一個真正信佛教、信彌陀大慈大悲救度的人,不可能有「我一輩子儘量為非做歹,最後再來念佛就好了」這種錯誤的觀念。

Namo Amituofo!

September 22 2020

Sep 22, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Sutra-recitation has its merit and virtues, because a “sutra” shows us the path to follow. However, we must Practice after we recite or read a sutra, because Buddhism is a religion of practice, not just a philosophy or theory.

It is best to recite the Infinite Life Sutra and the Amitabha Sutra first, then recite other sutras if you have time, and lastly move on to study. After we recite the sutras, it is best to devote 30 minutes to reciting “Namo Amituofo”. If there is not enough time, it is better to recite the sutras less and recite Amitabha’s Name more.

誦經有誦經的功德,但是「經」是告訴我們一條路走,所以我們誦經、閱經之後,就要去實踐,因為佛教是實踐的宗教,而不是講哲學理論而已。

誦經最好是誦《無量壽經》、《阿彌陀經》,其他的經典有時間再誦、再去研究。誦經之後最好有幾十分鐘的時間念「南無阿彌陀佛」,如果時間不夠,寧願少誦經,多念佛。

Namo Amituofo!

September 2 2020

Sep 2, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouragement to practice Amitabha

Recitation

念佛警策

The teaching of Amitabha-recitation is simple and easy, nothing special. Don’t complicate it by becoming entangled in varying the quantity, diversity, depth, profundity and difficulties, Don’t constantly look for gimmicks, or make it too fantastic. Otherwise you will lose your way and turn the wrong way at the crossroads. If you turn the wrong way, you will fall into the lower realms, and squander this opportunity to be reborn in the Pure Land. It is because all of the above are not the main cause of rebirth.

念佛法門極其簡易平常,不可好多、好雜、好深、好玄、好難,或尋奇覓巧,欲與人不同;否則如羊走迷,必入歧途,遭受矇騙,將再度沉淪,不得往生,因為這些皆非往生之因。

Namo Amituofo!

August 2 2020

Aug 2, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

(continued)

Su Dongpo was not primarily a Pure Land practitioner; but, mostly focused on Chan. However, when he approached the final stage of his life, he found that he could not rely on his Chan practice. This is a common experience - his mind was not at ease, and he believed nothing could lead him to emancipation.

Su Dongpo was unable to leave the cycle of birth and death; but, even an ordinary person who recites Amitabha’s Name in his lifetime can be at ease when near his end-of-life. Sometimes he may even know the time of his death in advance, Isn’t it ironic?

蘇東坡對淨土向來不是很關心,他所關心的是禪,但人到最後蓋棺論定時,他一生所修行的,能不能讓他依靠、安心,讓他解脫,臨終是一種證驗。

而蘇東坡臨終之時,是過不了生死輪迴這一關的,反而不如一位平生老實念佛的愚夫愚婦,臨終的時候,往往能夠自在安然,甚至預知時至。

Namo Amituofo!

August 1 2020

Aug 1, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

What was the feeling and mood of Su Dongpo near his end-of-life? He was filled with panic and uneasiness. Because he was a Buddhist, people asked him whether there is a Pure Land and whether he had aspired to be reborn there?

He said, “There is a Pure Land; but, I cannot manage it.” While saying this he pointed at his chest, indicating that he believed in the existence of the Pure Land; but, he was only confident in being born there because he did not know how to be reborn in the Pure Land.

(to be continued tomorrow)

蘇東坡臨終時是什麼心情、什麼感受呢?他心中還是恐懼不安。但畢竟他是學佛的人,有人就問他有沒有淨土?他要不要往生淨土?有沒有求生淨土的意願?

他說,淨土是有,但個中把握不住。也就是說,他指著自己胸膛,表示他相信有淨土,可是他心中沒有把握,不曉得如何才可以往生淨土。

Namo Amituofo!

July 26 2020

Jul 26, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

(continued)

Householder Jingwu Auyeung had a deep and profound understanding of Buddhist studies, and was a great master of his era. However, his understanding was only intellectual and not useful in cultivating his mind according to the teachings. Though he was known to have studied the Buddhist teachings for his whole life, it was only valuable for writing and discussion.

If a person does not cultivate his mind according to the Buddhist teachings, his knowledge will only bring him more false and miscellaneous thoughts. He must be confused and panic when his eyes close at his end-of- life.

歐陽竟無佛學底子是很深厚的,可說是一代宗師,但他學佛主要用力是在學問上,而不在於藉教觀心、依教奉行,所以雖說一生研究佛學,然而可說只是「記問之學」。

因為,一個人如果不藉教觀心、依教奉行,等於只是增加自己的妄想雜念,到最後眼光落地時常會手忙腳亂的。

Namo Amituofo!

July 25 2020

Jul 25, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

A contemporary Buddhist scholar (Householder Jingwu Auyeung) is regarded as a great master with good knowledge of Buddhism, especially the Mere Consciousness doctrines. In Northern China, he was considered the foremost in Buddhist studies.

Even so, he was in great pain near his end-of-life, and expressed his feelings with a deep sigh,“Uhhh, I am even worse off than an illiterate Amitabha-reciter in a rural village.”So, he told his friends, “ all that I learned in my entire life cannot be effectively used at this moment.” He advised them to truly recite Amitabha’s Name.

(to be continued)

近代佛學家歐陽竟無居士,他對佛學很有研究,尤其唯識學方面,被認為是大師,在中國大陸北方,可說是第一把交椅的佛學人物。但是歐陽竟無臨終的時候很痛苦, 他流露出自己的心情說:「唉!還不如一個鄉下一字不識的念佛者。」

因此他又跟身旁的人說:「一生所學,到此都不得力。」而勸大家老老實實念佛。

Namo Amituofo!

July 16 2020

Jul 16, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Don’t look for faith within our minds because the minds of ordinary beings are not true, but false. We should not pay attention to these false thoughts and afflictions; but, simply continue our recitations and allow Amitabha to handle the rest. If we experience tranquility through the deliverance of Amitabha’s power, faith will automatically be revealed, like a pearl inside our clothes.

不可向內心尋找信心,凡夫之心皆虛妄不真;應不顧內心之妄想煩惱,直承外在之彌陀救度。但靜心思惟外在之佛力救度,「衣裏明珠」之信心自現。

Namo Amituofo!

July 9 2020

Jul 9, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

An Amitabha-reciter who is not confident of being reborn may have two things happening: 

1. He always feels uneasy and worried, 2. He may have set backs, give up the Pure Land teaching, and pursue other teachings. In these cases, he disappoints Amitabha Buddha, who spent 5 eons formulating his 48 great vows for sentient beings in the ten directions, and spent countless eons more to practice and accumulate immeasurable virtues for them. It is because of Amitabha’s compassionate mind that he is so disappointed. He so very much wants to rescue us from our endless cycle of suffering!

一個對往生沒有信心的念佛人，會有兩種現象：一是內心一直忐忑不安，憂慮重重；二是有可能會退轉，不再修淨土，而去學其他的法門。那就辜負了阿彌陀佛為十方眾生，以五劫的思惟而建立四十八大願，以兆載永劫的時間，積植菩薩的無量德行，豈不是辜負了彌陀的悲心？辜負了彌陀的願行？

Namo Amituofo!

July 1 2020

Jul 1, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

As far as realizations or feelings are concerned, they are confined to one particular person under one particular condition, not to people in general or under general conditions. A realization or a feeling is just one occurrence at a particular moment, and it generally does not last forever. For those reasons Master Shandao says, though we aspire to purity of mind, it is just like drawing a picture on the surface of water.

After experiencing realizations and feelings, we abandon them and return to Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, the six-syllable great name in our minds and mouths. We do this because the minds of ordinary beings are false. Whatever we think is not real.

Only reciting Namo Amituofo is real. An ancient scholar says, “All worldly matters are false; only the Buddha is real”. Thus, to whom should we “sincerely and joyfully entrust ourselves,” as said in the Fundamental Vow? The answer is Amitabha, through reciting his Name “even ten times.”

體驗或感受是一機一緣,非普機普緣;體驗感受是一時一境,非恒久普遍。故善導大師言: 「縱發清心,猶如畫水。」

又體驗感受之後,其體驗感受即置之,其心口唯是南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛之六字洪名。因為凡夫皆妄,動念即乖,唯稱念南無阿彌陀佛是真,是以古德言:「世間皆假,唯佛獨真。」

故本願文之「至心信樂」歸在何處?在於「乃至十念」之稱名念佛。

Namo Amituofo!

June 23 2020

Jun 23, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to Practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Those who study and practice in the Pure Land School usually give up if they don’t follow Master Shandao’s teachings, as taught by those of his lineage. Otherwise, it is just like drawing a picture in water, even if we have a pure Bodhi mind. Sometimes, we may have a sort of feeling; but, it is not reliable, as it appears under certain conditions and disappears soon after. This is because all phenomena are impermanent and subject to change.

What is permanent and without change is Amitabha’s Name. It is recommended that we recite Amitabha’s Name only in accordance with our individual aptitudes. Our faith is nurtured through Amitabha’s Power and expressed each time we recite Amitabha’s Name.

學習淨土宗,如果不回歸到善導大師的解釋往往都會半途而廢,原因就如善導大師說的「縱發清心,猶如畫水」。我們即使有某一種體會感受,都是不可靠的,往往是「遇緣即現,境過則遷」,因為心境會改變,不是永恒的。

永恒不變的是這一句彌陀名號,永恒不變的是依靠這一句名號,只要以每個人目前的根機去稱名念佛就可以了,我們的信要回歸到這樣的信,信這樣的內容。

Namo Amituofo!

June 17 2020

Jun 17, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Master Yinguang says, “It is easier to attain rebirth in the Land of Bliss than to become a human in the next life. Why?

Rebirth in the Land of Bliss is readily available, as long as we are willing to recite Amitabha’s Name. However, if we want to become a human being in the next life, we must accumulate merits and virtues through the practice of the Five Precepts, which is much more difficult than Amitabha-recitation. Thus, attaining rebirth in the Land of Bliss to become a Buddha, is easier to attain than to reincarnate as a human or heavenly being.

往生極樂世界就如印光大師所說的,比下輩子再度當人還來得容易,為什麼?

往生極樂世界是現成的,只要你願意,只要你念佛,就能夠往生;可是下輩子當人,必須要累積五戒的功德。累積五戒的功德很困難,而念佛很容易,所以往生極樂世界成佛比你輪迴來當人、生天還來得容易。

Namo Amituofo!

June 11 2020

Jun 11, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Rebirth is not rooted in one’s skill in the practice of Amitabha-recitation; but, in the merit and virtues of Amitabha’s Name itself and in Amitabha’s vow power. It doesn’t matter whether you recite well or not. All those who recite Amitabha’s Name will be reborn.

往生不在念佛的功夫,而是在於名號本身的功德,在於彌陀願力所使然;既然這樣,也無所謂念得好與不好,念得好與不好都能往生。

Namo Amituofo!

May 28 2020

May 28, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Through countless eons, we have undergone many cycles of births and deaths. We may have studied and practiced at a level higher than many people; but, are still unable to leave the cycle of birth-and-death in reincarnation. We may have repeatedly been born as an esteemed monk and reincarnated as an ordinary being at other times. Even if we can dwell in the state of Dhyana, we are still ordinary beings. Though we may achieve a deep level in meditation and ascend to the Heaven of Non-Perception and Not Non-Perception, and have great paranormal power, we still cannot leave the cycle of birth-and-death. We are bound to recycle in accordance with our karma when this lifetime ends.

曠劫以來,我們生生死死、死死生生,比一般人更深的功夫我們可能都已學過、修過,但是一直沒有離開生死輪迴,所以反反覆覆,有時候轉生為高僧,有時候轉生為一般凡夫,就算現在能夠入禪定,也還是一個凡夫。即使非想非非想處天那麼深的禪定,有大神通,,還是脫離不了生死輪迴,壽命到時還是隨業流轉。

Namo Amituofo!

May 22 2020

May 22, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

As time goes by, during the Age of Decline of the Buddha-Dharma, the power to inspire and deliver others is weaker and weaker, and the level of morality is increasingly declining. People want to practice virtues; but, they are not capable. They do not know when or if they can achieve Buddhahood. This is the general condition in today’s Buddhist world.

As far as our physical needs are concerned, technologies have exponentially improved our conditions. However, as far as eliminating our delusions and achieving fruition in practice are concerned, our capabilities have drastically declined. This is a matter of irrefutable fact. That is why the great sacred Buddha predicted, “Not even one person will attain the Way in the Dharma-Declining Era.”

No matter how splendid a teaching is, if it is too difficult, or even impossible, for sentient beings to practice, it brings them no true benefits.

隨著距離佛陀入滅年代的久遠,感化的力量次第微弱,社會的風氣愈益澆薄;修行有心無力,證果遙遙無期,這是教界當今的現象,可說觸目皆是。

從物質方面而言,厚生利用之術一日千里;然斷惑證真之道如江河日下,這是無可置疑的事實。故大聖佛陀預先斷言「末法時中,未有一人得者。」

一種法門不論如何殊勝,如果對於眾生是難行,甚至不能行,則此法於眾生無利益可言。

Namo Amituofo!