Dec 22, 2023
The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
Master Shandao says in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra , the objectives of this sutra are the Samadhi of Contemplating the Buddha and the Samadhi of Recollecting the Buddha. These are known as “the dual objectives of contemplation and recollection”.
However, this process must be skillfully guided, because it is impossible to have two objectives within one Sutra. So, the relationship of “establishment” and “abandonment” between the Samadhi of Contemplating the Buddha and the Samadhi of Recollecting the Buddha is to abandon the former in order to establish the latter.
People may misunderstand the concept of “establishment” and “abandonment” because it is ear-piercing to hear the word “abandonment”. Therefore, one should have the correct understanding of the concept of “abandonment”.
For example, meditative virtues refer to calming one’s anxiety by quieting one’s mind, which we cannot fully do. Non-meditative virtues refer to eliminating our harmful activities and nurturing goodness in our lives. This especially refers to worldly blessings, which all practitioners in the Pure Land or Sacred Paths, and even non-Buddhists should do, because it is fundamental for all humans. No one should abandon it. So, “abandonment” as mentioned here, only refers to rebirth.
That is to say, as far as rebirth is concerned, we don’t need these worldly virtues. This is the meaning of “abandonment”. However, please don’t say that, since we only need to recite Amitabha’s Name for rebirth in the Land of Bliss, we can discard the practice of all virtues, or even kill, and practice the Ten Evil Deeds. Absolutely not! If a practitioner is not a Buddhist, how can he be a Pure Land practitioner?
善導大師在《觀經疏》〈玄義分〉說:今此《觀經》,即以觀佛三昧為宗,亦以念佛三昧為宗。
這就是「念觀兩宗」。但這個只是引導的過程,不可能一經有兩宗,而是一種施設的善巧方便,所以最後顯明「念觀廢立」。因此「念佛三昧」跟「觀佛三昧」的廢立關係,就是廢──觀佛三昧,立──念佛三昧。
對於「廢」、「立」往往有人會誤解,這個「廢」字聽起來,似乎比較刺耳,但是在這裡,我們對「廢」要有正確的認識與把握。
譬如說「定觀」,也就是「定善」──息慮凝心,我們根本做不到,而「散善」──廢惡修善,尤其是「世福」,不管是學淨土或學聖道,乃至一般沒有學佛的人都應該奉行的,因為那是做人的根本,怎麼可以廢棄呢?所以,這裡的「廢」是就「往生」上來講的,是說就往生上來講,不需要那些功能,這個叫做「廢」。
因此,並不是說要往生極樂世界只要念佛就好,除此之外,定善、散善都要捨掉,都可以不用做,甚至可以殺生、可以行十惡,絕對不是那樣。如果是那樣,他就連佛教徒都稱不上了,怎麼會是淨土行人呢?
Namo Amituofo!
