Dec 7

Dec 7, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

No matter in what way we recite Amitabha’s name, it is regarded to be an easy practice, not an ascetic practice. Why? It is because we must have a thought in our mind, and we simply ‘turn around’ or switch our thought to ‘Namo Amituofo’.

Our thoughts are always related to afflictions and emotions, which are contaminated and depressed resulted from our karmic offenses. Now, we change it to Amitabha-invocation. Amitabha’s name itself is in the state of nirvana, pure and virtuous.

So, we merely switch over our confused thoughts to this Name. By always reciting this Name, we feel easy and relaxed. Moreover, as we are connected with the Buddha’s realm [through Amitabha-recitation], we are naturally blessed and relieved from any misfortune.

我們再怎麼念佛，都是易行道，而不是廣修苦行，為什麼？因為我們本來心中都有念頭，都有心念，只不過是把我們的心念轉為念「南無阿彌陀佛」。

何況我們平常的心念都是煩惱的念頭，都是情緒的念頭，這 一些念頭是污穢的，是苦惱的，是跟業障相感應的，現在我們把它轉為念佛，這句佛號的本身是涅槃的、是清淨的，是功德的。

所以只要把我們雜七雜八的念頭轉到這一句佛號來，只要經常念佛，身心就會有一種輕安、愉悅的感覺，而且跟佛的境界感應，自然能夠除業障、增福德。

Namo Amitabha!

Dec 6

Dec 6, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

Start a day with Amitabha-recitation in our daily life. If we can do that, we are certainly embraced by Amitabha’s light whatever we do and wherever we are during the day. We must be safe and peaceful. Everything goes on smoothly.

There is no taboo in the Buddhist teachings. We can recite this Name – Namo Amituofo in the Buddhist hall, in living room, or even in washroom. We can recite in an unclean place; it makes this place clean. We can recite in an unlucky place; it brings fortunes to this place. Wherever, whenever and whatever we do, we can and we should recite Amitabha’s name under any circumstance.

「一天的生活，從念佛開始。」如能這樣，那麼，這一天不管是在家也好、出外也好，做任何事情，肯定都蒙受彌陀的光明護佑，讓我們出入平安、諸事如意。

佛法裏面最沒有忌諱的，就是這一句南無阿彌陀佛，在大殿可以念佛，在客廳可以念佛，在房間也可以念佛，甚至在衛生間也可以念佛。在污穢的地方念佛，可以給那個地方帶來清淨；在不吉祥的地方念佛，可以為當地帶來吉祥。不管在什麼地方，在什麼時候，做什麼事情，不管在什麼心念之下，都可以念佛，也都應該念佛。

Namo Amitabha!

Dec 5

Dec 5, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

Though we may have virtuous practices apart from Amitabha-recitation, such as filial love to parents, serving teachers, being sincere and scrupulous in human relationships, getting rid of evil and practicing good, and other worldly virtues, or even practicing meditative virtues, it does not increase the chance of attaining rebirth [in the Land of Bliss]. So, we do not rely on, and not to dedicate all these virtues because the great name of a myriad of virtues is wholly sufficient to enable us to be reborn there.

So, it is fine to follow our capacity and aptitude in reciting this Name – Namo Amituofo [for rebirth]. Don’t rely on any virtuous practice other than Amitabha-recitation.

雖然念佛以外我們有其他功行，比如孝順父母、 奉事師長、敦倫盡分，去惡行善等世間善的功德，或者修其他禪定功夫，但這對往生來講沒有增加，我們不靠這個，也不迴向這個，因為往生功能，萬德洪名完全具足。

所以，只要隨個人的根機念這句南無阿彌陀佛就好，不要在念佛以外去靠其他的功行。

Namo Amitabha!

Dec 4

Dec 4, 2017
慧淨上人法語
正依經典

(continued)

Besides, we have to follow the teachings passed down by the patriarchs of our sect’s lineage. Because the Buddha is a man of great wisdom, and his words cannot be fully understood by ordinary beings like us. Even we read some sentences in the sutras first-hand, we may or may not understand its meanings—could be right, or could be wrong or distorted. So, it is better to study the sutras in accordance with the explanations of the patriarchs of our sect’s lineage so as to avoid misunderstandings.

Apart from following the sutras and following the commentaries and interpretations of our patriarchs, we also observe evidences and facts. Both the theories spoken by the Buddha and the interpretations made by patriarchs are correct; but how to proof that the theories are factual truth? This requires evidences, including evidence by sutras, evidence by commentaries, and evidence by facts.

然後再依據祖師的傳承，因為佛是一個大智慧的人，祂所說出來的語言，不是我們凡夫所可以了解的，即使我們親自看某句經文，有可能了解，也有可能錯解或曲解，所以如依據祖師的傳承來看佛經，就不會錯解了。
我們除了一方面根據佛經，一方面根據祖師的傳承所解釋佛經的道理之外，另再依據事實、證據。因為佛所說的理論固然沒錯，祖師的解釋也沒錯，但是如何證明理論是事實，這就要有證據，也就是「文證」、「理證」及「事證」。

Namo Amitabha!

Dec 3

Dec 3, 2017
慧淨上人法語
正依經典

Our learning and practice of the Pure Land teaching is based on a theoretical ground, and the most important part is the sutras that are surely the words told by the Buddha. Only those words delivered by the Buddha can be relied on as the basis of our learning of Buddhism.

The Buddha is an enlightened being who have realized the truth of universe. He understands thoroughly the truth of human life and universe. Naturally, his words reveal the truth. So, only those words spoken by the Buddha can be the theoretical ground of the teaching of our sect.

(continued tomorrow)

我們修持淨土法門，有理論上的根據，最重要的根據就是佛經，因為惟有佛經確實是佛所說，惟有佛所說才能做我們學佛人的根據。
佛是覺悟宇宙真理的人，祂透徹了解宇宙人生的真理，祂所說出來的話，自然就成為真理，所以，唯有依據佛所說，才可以作為宗門的依據理論。

Namo Amitabha!

Dec 2

Dec 2, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土信仰

Why does Shakyamuni Buddha emphasize on exclusive recitation of the name of one single Buddha—Amitabha Buddha? Why should we ordinary beings reverence only Amitabha Buddha as the most honoured of all Buddhas?

It is because Amitabha Buddha is the owner of the 48 vows, the host of the Land of Bliss, the master of delivering sentient beings in the ten directions. Amitabah Buddha is “the king of all buddhas, and the noblest in light”, as told in the Large Amitabha Sutra. Amitabha’s awesome light is foremost in nobility that no other buddha’s can match.

何故世尊強調一向專念阿彌陀佛一佛？又何故吾等凡夫唯以阿彌陀佛一佛為本尊？

因為阿彌陀佛是四十八願的主人，是極樂世界的主人，是救度十方眾生的主人；阿彌陀佛也是「諸佛之王，光中之尊」（《大阿彌陀經》之文），阿彌陀佛的「威神光明，最尊第一，諸佛光明，所不能及」。

Namo Amitabha!

Dec 1 2017

Dec 1, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風俗諦

Our life is not just once at this time, but is a continuum of the past, present and future. So, we should entrust our life – a continuum with birth and death in the past, present and future, impermanent, recycling, segmented life, and take refuge to Amitabha Buddha.

If we truly have the mind of reverence and obedience, ‘namo’, taking refuge, surrender, reliance, we must always remember the Buddha and recite the Buddha. Amitabha-invocation and Amitabha-recitation is the cause, while rebirth to achieve Buddhahood is the effect. From now on, we are certain to leave this turbid and evil, impermanent and recycling life, and assured to be one of the bodhisattvas in the Land of Bliss with infinite life, infinite light, infinite compassion and infinite wisdom.

我們的生命，不只是這一生一世而已，而是貫串著過去、現在、未來，所以，把我們這個貫串著過去、現在、未來的，生生死死的，分段的、輪迴的、無常的生命，完全付託、歸託、依靠於阿彌陀佛。

如果我們真的有這一份恭敬信順，「南無」、「歸命」、「歸投」、「依靠」的心的話，就會時時刻刻憶佛、念佛。而憶佛、念佛是「因」，往生成佛是「果」，從現在開始，就確定離開了濁惡的、無常的、輪迴的生命，確定了已經是極樂世界的無量壽、無量光、無量慈悲、無量智慧的菩薩之一了。

Namo Amitabha!