December 20 2019

Dec 20, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

Amitabha Buddha has existed for ten kalpas (eons), What is his existence for? For delivering sentient beings! It is the resolution of Amitabha Buddha to deliver sentient beings. It is the career of Amitabha Buddha to deliver sentient beings. It is the joy of Amitabha Buddha to deliver sentient beings. It is the wholeness of Amitabha Buddha’s life to deliver sentient beings.

阿彌陀佛的存在,已經十劫了,祂是為了什麼?為了救度眾生!以救度眾生為阿彌陀佛的志願;以救度眾生為阿彌陀佛的事業;以救度眾生為阿彌陀佛的法樂;以救度眾生為阿彌陀佛生命的全部。

Namo Amituofo!

December 13 2019

Dec 13, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

Whoever you are, as long as you have faith in Amitabha’s deliverance, this kind of faith is called “unsurpassed faith”. To receive Amitabha’s deliverance, we must believe and accept. We cannot disbelieve because, apart from Amitabha’s deliverance, we have no alternative. You can disbelieve all other teachings; but, you must believe in Amitabha’s deliverance.

Those who believe attain rebirth, and those who disbelieve do not. Those who believe are liberated immediately, and those who disbelieve will reincarnate. So, it is said that, Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land is the final settlement for all practitioners, or even all sentient beings.

不論何人,只要對彌陀救度生信,這種信心即是「無上信心」。阿彌陀佛的救度是我們必須要信受、不得不歸信的,因為除了歸信彌陀,我們別無出路。其他法門即使不信,彌陀救度必須生信。

信者得生,不信不生;信即解脫,不信即輪迴。所以說,阿彌陀佛的淨土是修行者、乃至所有眾生最後的依歸。

Namo Amituofo!

December 6 2019

Dec 6, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

Amitabha-recitation is naturally uninterrupted and we will naturally recite Amitabha’s Name with joy, once we realize Amitabha’s deliverance. As we treat Amitabha-recitation as the most important thing in our lives, our interests and habits will change, as we prefer to recite and hear the Buddha’s Name, and have no interest in other things thereafter. In realizing the joy of Amitabha’s deliverance, we should not be annoyed about failing to achieve any goal, otherwise it would be contrary to our realization.

念佛是自然相續的,體會到彌陀的救度之後就會自然地、很喜歡念佛,把一生當中最重要的看成是念佛,興趣、嗜好就會轉,轉成喜歡念佛喜歡聽佛號,其他都淡然無味。所以要體會彌陀的救度而歡喜,不要因為自己達不到目標而苦惱,否則就等於背道而馳。

Namo Amituofo!

November 28 2019

Nov 28, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

Regardless of being good or evil, as long as we totally “surrender”, rely on Amitabha Buddha, aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss, and recite Amitabha’s Name, we will not incarnate any more. Our minds are in the Land of Bliss though our bodies are still in the Land of Saha .

We are now one of the sacred beings in the Land of Bliss. Moreover, we and Amitabha Buddha are as one body, inseparable. This means Amitabha always accompanies us in our daily lives. It is because the merits and virtues of the Name are in our hearts and we are always within Amitabha’s light. It is known as the inseparable entity of “aptitude” and of “teaching.” This relationship lasts from now to the end-of-life.

不管我們自認為是善也好、惡也好,只要完全投靠阿彌陀佛,願生極樂世界,專念阿彌陀佛,現在就是身在娑婆、心在極樂,不再輪迴了!

現在就是極樂聖眾之一,而且跟阿彌陀佛一體不離,跟阿彌陀佛同起臥、同出入。因為這句名號的功德在我們心中,我們在阿彌陀佛的光明之中,這就叫「機法一體不離」,而且是從現在直到臨終。

Namo Amituofo!

November 21 2019

Nov 21, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

The fundamental fear of life is death. If we cannot clear this fear, we shall not be satisfied with our achievements and belongings. Though there are buddhas in the ten directions, only Amitabha can pacify us. The Sutra says, “All kinds of fear can turn to peace.” It also says, “He pulls out the root of the unceasing sufferings of birth-and-death.” Another version says, “Rescuing all from their sufferings, the root of birth-and-death, so that they can become beings like the buddhas.”

As it pertains to the fundamental affliction and basic fear, once we encounter Amitabha’s compassionate vow that was accomplished in five eons –  “if they are not reborn, I will not attain perfect Enlightenment.” All of our afflictions and fears will turn to joy and comfort, with tears streaming from our eyes. The boundless karmic offenses accumulated in countless eons are instantly eradicated. The endless reincarnation in the cycle of birth-and-death cease immediately.

人生最根本的恐懼是「死」，這恐懼若沒有消除，則一生無論如何成就擁有，都不滿足。十方雖都有佛，但這恐懼只有彌陀能安之。經言：「一切恐懼，為作大安。」又說：「拔諸生死，勤苦之本。」異譯之《大經》亦言：「拔人勤苦，生死根本，悉令如佛。」

根本的煩惱，心底的恐懼，接觸到彌陀五劫思惟的悲願，「若不生者，不取正覺」的誓言，所有苦惱、恐懼，當下轉為喜悅與安慰，悲喜之淚不禁奪眶而出。曠劫以來的無邊罪業，立刻消除；永無窮盡的生死輪迴，當下休止。

Namo Amituofo!

November 8 2019

Nov 8, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

When we think of Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha Buddha knows immediately, and his light shines on us at the same time. We are joined together instantly. In contrast, if we think of our parents, our parents would not know, and they would be unable to come to our side. Thus, Amitabha-recitation is a kind of intimacy that is more than that between parents and children in the mundane world. How deep is this level of intimacy?

It is so intimate that we are fused together and totally inseparable. It is known as “Amitabha-recitation and Amitabha Buddha, and the aptitude and the teaching being one entity”.

我們念阿彌陀佛,阿彌陀佛立即知道,光明馬上照耀我們,立刻就與我們同在。然而我們想念父母,父母未必知道,也沒辦法立即在我們旁邊,所以念佛的這一種親,比世間父母的關係還要親,親到什麼程度呢?是親到一體不離,相融在一起的,這就是「念佛與佛,機法一體」。

所以,宇宙中跟我們最親的就是南無阿彌陀佛,念佛人如果曉得這個道理的話,就會很自然的、發自內心、很親切的來念南無阿彌陀佛。

Namo Amituofo!

November 2 2019

Nov 2, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

An Amitabha-reciter has an intimate relationship with Amitabha Buddha. They are always accompanied by Amitabha Buddha in all that they do. Actually, the Buddha is always directly in front of sentient beings of the ten directions, just like wireless waves that exist everywhere in space. If we do not turn on the television, there is no image in the monitor”.  Because our eyes are blocked by afflictions we cannot see; yet, the light of the Buddha’s great compassion always shines on us.”

It is only because of the difference between individual causal conditions that some people are capable of seeing and some are not.

念佛者跟阿彌陀佛,是既親又近、既近又親的。可以說, 時時刻刻都與佛同在,與佛同出入,與佛同起臥。其實,佛本來時時刻刻都在十方眾生的面前,就

好像無線電波,不論何時都在這個空間,可是電視不開,螢幕就不出現。所謂「煩惱障眼,雖不能見,大悲無倦,常照我身。」只是個人的因緣、磁場,各不相同,所以有的能見到,有的不能見到而已。

Namo Amituofo!

October 27 2019

Oct 27, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

The Name of Amitabha is also his light. Master Shandao calls it the Name of Light. Amitabha’s“Name is comprised of both his body and his light”. Amitabha Buddha requires name-recitation in his Fundamental Vow, so that all sentient beings follow Amitabha’s vow only if they recite his Name. They are intimate with Amitabha only if they recite his Name and they will be embraced with his light only if they recite his Name.

再者,這一句彌陀名號,同時也是「名即光」,名號就是阿彌陀佛的光明,所以善導大師說:「光明名號」。因為「名即體、名即光」,所以阿彌陀佛就以稱名為祂的本願,使得凡是念佛的人,他只要稱名,就順佛願;只要稱名,就與佛親;只要稱名,就蒙光攝取。

Namo Amituofo!

October 26 2019

Oct 26, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

How can we be fully intimate with Amitabha Buddha? We are unable to perceive Amitabha’s compassion, we are unable to perceive Amitabha’s wisdom (which is a Buddha realm), we are unable to understand Amitabha’s good marks in the form of light. We are unable to contemplate for Amitabha’s merit and virtues, and we are unable to understand Amitabha’s infinite power.

However, because of Amitabha’s Name with a myriad of virtues, and because the “Name is the teaching” and the “Name is the body”, we can recite the Name, and immediately connect with Amitabha’s body in substance.

(to be continued)

我們凡夫怎麼跟阿彌陀佛親,跟阿彌陀佛近呢?阿彌陀佛的慈悲,我們也思惟不來;阿彌陀佛的智慧,是佛的境界,我們也理解不來;阿彌陀佛的相好光明,我們也觀想不來;阿彌陀佛的功德,阿彌陀佛的神力,我們更不能理解。

可是因為南無阿彌陀佛這一句萬德洪名,是「名即法」,是「名即體」,所以稱念這一句名號,就跟祂的本體互相感通道交,祂的本體就會顯現,所謂「應聲即現」,因為這一句彌陀名號,是名即體。

Namo Amituofo!

October 20 2019

Oct 20, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

It is just like a mother who pays full attention to taking care of her son living in the intensive care ward in a hospital. Though she does not always stay with her son, as she has to deal with other matters, she always thinks of him. It is the same for Amitabha-reciters. We pay full attention to Amitabha Buddha. It seems our Amitabha-recitation is interrupted when we talk and do other things. However, when all of these are finished, our mind will naturally return to our Amitabha-recitation. As it is said, “The bamboo are tied tightly; however, it cannot obstruct the water from flowing through. The mountain is very high; but, it cannot prevent the clouds from passing by.”

但如同一位全心全意在醫院關注照顧生重病住院兒子的母親,即使人不在病房兒子身旁,必須處理其他事情時,但心思可說仍全在她的兒子上;念佛人的心念也是如此,全心全意在阿彌陀佛上,做事說話時表面上念佛看似間斷,當事情過了,我們的心自然又恢復到憶佛念佛來,所謂「竹密不妨流水過,山高豈礙白雲飛」,這個就是無間之意。

Namo Amituofo!

October 19 2019

Oct 19, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

The relationship between Amitabha Buddha and reciters is inseparable. Only those who do not recite Amitabha’s Name are separate from Amitabha Buddha. If you don’t recite Amitabha’s Name, you do not have the three kinds of relationships with Amitabha, nor do you have Amitabha’s embrace to form one entity of “aptitude” and “teaching”.

However, it does not mean that Amitabha Buddha will be separated from us when we do not recite his Name during sleep. Most people cannot recite Amitabha’s Name non-stop during the day. For instance, when we think, talk, or engage in complicated work, Name-recitation is bound to be interrupted.

念佛的人跟阿彌陀佛的關係是無間的,不念佛的人跟阿彌陀佛就間斷了,因為你不念佛,就沒有那三種緣,也沒有機法一體的關係,所以是有間斷的。

但這並不表示說,我們念佛人,睡覺的時候沒有念佛,那就跟阿彌陀佛有間斷了!而且, 大部份的人, 不可能白天無時不刻稱名念佛不斷, 比如思考動腦筋、與人談話、做複雜事情時,稱名就會間斷。

(to be continued)

Namo Amituofo!

October 13 2019

Oct 13, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

That means, Amitabha Buddha makes the following vow for sentient beings of the ten directions, so long as he becomes a Buddha, he can assure sentient beings of the ten directions who recite his Name, rebirth in his Land of Bliss. If he is unable to allow sentient beings of the ten directions, who recite his Name, to be reborn in the Land of Bliss, he will not attain perfect Enlightenment and become a Buddha.

Because of this vow, he naturally has an intimate relationship with sentient beings of the ten directions, particularly Amitabha-reciters. This relationship is even more intimate than that between parents and children.

也就是阿彌陀佛為十方眾生發了「只要祂成佛的話,必定使十方眾生稱祂的名號而往生祂的極樂世界,如果不能夠使十方眾生稱祂的名號,而往生極樂世界,祂就不能成正覺,就不能成佛」。

因為有了這個願,所以自自然然的跟十方眾生,尤其是跟念佛人,就有了比父精母血的父子母女之親還要更親的關係。

Namo Amituofo!

October 12 2019

Oct 12, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

The relationship between Amitabha-reciters and Amitabha is close and intimate. It is not because we recite his Name that we are intimate, or because we have the Buddha-nature that makes us close, or because we set forth the Four Great Vows and practice the Six Paramitas.

It is because there is a Buddha among all Buddhas of the ten worlds, and the three periods of time, who made The Vow stating “if they are not reborn, I will not attain perfect Enlightenment”. Because of this he has the most intimate relationship with sentient beings in the ten directions.

(to be continued)

我們念佛人跟阿彌陀佛親,不是因為我們念佛人念佛了,就跟阿彌陀佛親,或者是我們有佛性所以跟阿彌陀佛親,或者我們發四弘誓願、行六度萬行,所以就跟佛親,都不是這樣。

是因為在十方三世恆河沙數諸佛當中,有一尊佛祂為十方眾生發下了「若不生者,不取正覺」的願,所以才跟十方眾生有了這種親緣。

Namo Amituofo!

October 5 2019

Oct 5, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

“Amitabha is the King of all Buddhas”, as stated in the Infinite Life Sutra. Amitabha Buddha is also foremost in light. In the Infinite Life Sutra, it says, “His is the noblest among all kinds of light.” It also says, “The majestic light of the Buddha Amitayus is the most exalted. No other Buddha's light can match his.”

Amitabha is the Buddha of Infinite Life, Infinite Light, and Unimpeded Light. Amitabha Buddha delivers sentient beings in the ten directions proactively, equally, and unconditionally. He is also a Buddha who forms one entity with the aptitude of Amitabha-reciters and his teaching.

阿彌陀佛是諸佛之王的佛。《無量壽經》說:「阿彌陀佛是諸佛中之王也。」阿彌陀佛也是光中之尊的佛。《無量壽經》說:「光明中之極尊也。」又說:「威神光明最尊第一,諸佛光明所不能及。」

阿彌陀佛是無量壽佛、無量光佛、無礙光佛,是主動、平等、無條件救度十方眾生的佛,是跟念佛眾生機法一體的佛。

Namo Amituofo!

October 4 2019

Oct 4, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

Amitabha is a Buddha who embraces without forsaking. In the Contemplation Sutra, it says, “His light shines universally upon the lands of the ten quarters, embracing, and not forsaking, those who are mindful of the Buddha.” Whether a person is kind or evil, wise or foolish, Amitabha Buddha’s light shines on him, protects him, waits for him, and receives him, as long as he recites his Name.

Amitabha is a Buddha who comes to welcome us near the end-of-life. In the Amitabha Sutra, it says, “When that person approaches the point of death, Amitabha Buddha and the sacred assembly will appear before him.” Regardless of the magnitude of his blessings, or the proficiency of his practices, all those who exclusively hold fast to his Name will be naturally welcomed by Amitabha Buddha and the sacred assembly. He will be received to be instantly reborn in Amitabha’s reward land.

(to be continued)

阿彌陀佛也是攝取不捨的佛。《觀無量壽經》說:「光明遍照十方世界,念佛眾生攝取不捨。」眾生不論他是善惡賢愚,只要念佛,阿彌陀佛光明照耀他、保護他、等待他、接引他。

阿彌陀佛是臨終來迎的佛。《阿彌陀經》說:「其人臨命終時,阿彌陀佛與諸聖眾,現在其前。」凡是專一不二執持名號的人,不管他罪福多少、功行高低 ,臨終佛與聖眾自然來迎,即時往生彌陀報土。

Namo Amituofo!

October 3 2019

Oct 3, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

Amitabha Buddha also enables all sentient beings to accomplish merits and virtues. In the Infinite Life Sutra, it says, “He adorned his practices with a great store of merits. By so doing, he enabled sentient beings to partake of it.” So, throughout the process of achieving Buddhahood, Amitabha Buddha himself enables sentient beings to accomplish the merits and virtues necessary for rebirth, and achieving Buddhahood.

Amitabha Buddha assures rebirth through Amitabha-recitation. It says in the 18thVow, “if those who recite my name even ten times should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.” As Amitabha has already attained perfect Enlightenment, sentient beings are assured of rebirth through name-recitation.

(to be continued)

阿彌陀佛也是令諸眾生功德成就的佛。《無量壽經》說:「以大莊嚴,具足眾行,令諸眾生,功德成就。」所以,阿彌陀佛成佛的本身,就是使我們眾生成就往生成佛的功德。

阿彌陀佛是念佛必生的佛。第十八願說:「乃至十念,若不生者,不取正覺。」彌陀既已成正覺,眾生稱念必得生。

Namo Amituofo!

October 2 2019

Oct 2, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

Amitabha is also a Buddha who opened the Dharma-store for sentient beings. In the Infinite Life Sutra, it says, “I will open the Dharma-store for the multitudes and endow them all with treasures of merit.” (In order to complete the merits and virtues necessary for their departure from reincarnation within the Three Domains, the Six Realms, and rebirth in the Land of Bliss.)There they achieve Buddhahood, so that they can comprehensively deliver sentient beings in the ten directions.

Amitabha Buddha also carries the heavy karmic burdens of sentient beings on his back. In the Infinite Life Sutra, it says, “Without waiting for their request, he provides sentient beings with the Dharma. He does this for the multitude of poor beings, and carries their heavy karmic burdens on his back.”

(to be continued)

阿彌陀佛也是為眾生開法藏的佛。《無量壽經》說:「為眾開法藏,廣施功德寶。」阿彌陀佛為十方眾生完成脫離三界六道輪迴、往生極樂淨土成佛的功德,並使其能夠廣度十方眾生,所以說「為眾開法藏,廣施功德寶」。

阿彌陀佛也是一位荷負群生的佛。《無量壽經》說:「以不請之法,施諸黎庶,荷負群生,為之重擔。」

Namo Amituofo!

October 1 2019

Oct 1, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings on Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

What kind of Buddha is Amitabha? Amitabha is a Buddha who has made vows for sentient beings. In the Infinite Life Sutra, it says, “For five full kalpas he contemplated his vows, and then chose the most pure practices for the establishment of his Buddha-land." So, Amitabha is a Buddha who has made vows after contemplating for five full kalpas for sentient beings.

Amitabha is also a Buddha who cultivated and practiced throughout countless kalpas to fulfill his vows for sentient beings. In the Infinite Life Sutra, it says, “During inconceivable and innumerable kalpas, he cultivated the immeasurable meritorious practices of the Bodhisattva Path.”

(to be continued)

阿彌陀佛是怎樣的佛呢?阿彌陀佛是為眾生發願的佛。《無量壽經》說:「具足五劫,思惟攝取,莊嚴佛國,清淨之行。」所以,阿彌陀佛是為眾生五劫思惟發願的佛。

阿彌陀佛也是為眾生永劫修行的佛。《無量壽經》說:「以不可思議,兆載永劫,積植菩薩,無量德行。」

Namo Amituofo!

September 25 2019

Sep 25, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

(continued)

Therefore, we should know what kind of Buddha Amitabha is. Through this understanding we experience a kind of joy, comfort, and peace of mind when we recite Amitabha’s name.

Above all, a Pure Land practitioner regards Amitabha Buddha as our Principal Buddha, the only Buddha for prostration, and the only Buddha whose name we recite.

因此,我們理所當然應該知道,阿彌陀佛是怎樣的一尊佛,這樣念起佛號來,心中就有一種歡喜,有一種安慰、安心感。

總之,學淨土法門的人,都是以阿彌陀佛為我們的本尊,做為我們所禮拜的唯一對象,同時也以阿彌陀佛為我們稱念的唯一行門。

Namo Amituofo!

September 24 2019

Sep 24, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha

皈命彌陀

Every morning when we awaken and open our eyes, we think of pursuing the Five Sensual Desires. These thoughts are born from greed, anger and delusion. How can such sentient beings in the ten directions enter the Land of Bliss, the wonderful Pure Land, through their own power, merit and virtues?

Amitabha Buddha’s” inconceivable” power, merits, and virtues are the greatest in delivering sentient beings. Amitabha Buddha’s light is the foremost in nobility among all Buddhas.

(to be continued)

每天一早起來,眼睛一睜開,心中所想的,就是如何的來為自己追尋五欲──我們的起心動念,無非都是貪瞋癡,都是跟五欲境界相呼應的,這樣的十方眾生,怎麼能以自己的力量、功德,進入極樂世界那樣殊勝高妙的淨土呢?

阿彌陀佛救度眾生的功德,不可思議的能力,以及阿彌陀佛本身的光明,是十方諸佛當中最尊第一,所以說「威神光明,最尊第一」。

Namo Amituofo!