September 26, 2022

Sep 26, 2022

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about “Entirely the Buddha’s Power” (analogy of sailing on a ship across the sea)

印光大師法語「全是佛力」之文(坐船過海之喻)

For example, a grain of sand will sink immediately when placed in water. However, if tons of gravel and boulders are placed on a big ship, they will be transported to other places without sinking. Gravel and boulders represent sentient beings’ heavy karma, while the big ship is a metaphor for Amitabha’s great compassionate power.

If we do not recite Amitabha’s Name and rely on our own power of cultivation to end our cycle of birth-and-death, we must reach a state in which our karmas are completely extinguished and our emotions are empty. We cannot liberate ourselves from the cycle of birth-and-death. Even if we have a tiny strand of affliction and delusive karma remaining , like a grain of sand we will sink to the bottom of the water, because a grain of sand cannot float on the water on its own.

譬如一顆沙子,入水即沉,縱有數千萬斤石,裝於大火輪船中,即可不沉而運於他處,以隨意使用也。石喻眾生之業力深重,大火輪喻彌陀之慈力廣大。若不念佛,仗自己修持之力,欲了生死,須到業盡情空地位方可。否則縱令煩惱惑業斷得只有一絲毫,亦不能了, 喻如極小之沙子,亦必沉於水中,決不能自己出於水外。

Namo Amituofo!

September 15, 2022

Sep 15, 2022

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about “Entirely the Buddha’s Power” (analogy of sailing on a ship across the sea)

印光大師法語「全是佛力」之文(坐船過海之喻)

(continued)

The analogy of sailing on a ship across the sea is drawn. We are guaranteed to reach the other shore if we are willing to come on board, because it is the power of the ship, not our capacity that allows us to do so. It is basically the same with rebirth in the Land of Bliss, through Amitabha-recitation with faith and aspiration. We should entirely rely upon the Buddha’s power, not our power, in the course of cultivation of the Way.

此如坐火輪船過海,但肯上船,即可到於彼岸;乃屬船力,非自己本事。信願念佛、求生西方亦然,完全是「佛力」,不是自己「道力」。

Namo Amituofo!

September 14, 2022

Sep 14, 2022

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about “Entirely the Buddha’s Power” (using the analogy of sailing on a ship across the sea)

印光大師法語「全是佛力」之文(坐船過海之喻)

In Buddhist teachings, there are immeasurable paths, whether they are the Great Vehicle and the Small Vehicle, or the Expedient Teaching and the Real Teaching. In all of these teachings, a practitioner is required to eliminate greed, hatred, and delusion through abiding by the precepts, practicing meditation, and gaining wisdom. In this way, they are completely purified without any residue, in order that they can be liberated from the cycle of birth-and-death.

However, this is as difficult as ascending to heaven, and is beyond the abilities of mundane people like us. However, if we truly believe, earnestly aspire, and recite Amitabha’s Name for rebirth in the West, we can be reborn wholly with recourse to Amitabha’s compassionate power, despite our limited capacities and lack of meritorious virtues.

(to be continued tomorrow)

佛法法門無量,無論大小權實,一切法門,均須以戒定慧,斷貪瞋癡,令其淨盡無餘,方可了生脫死。

此則難如登天,非吾輩具縛凡夫所能希冀。

若以真信切願、念佛求生西方,則無論功夫深淺、功德大小,皆可仗佛慈力,往生西方。

Namo Amituofo!