July 7 2019

July 7, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》

What is the meaning of the text about the three tiers? Some people may think the upper tier is superior to the middle tier, and the middle tier is superior to the lower tier. True, this is not incorrect, because the text about the three tiers talks about the differences in aptitude.

For instance, people of the upper tier are those who are monastic and can practice vigorously. Those of the middle tier cannot leave home; but, can practice generosity or other teachings. Those of the lower tier have no karmic connection to become monastics, cannot practice generosity, or other teachings with vigor. However, if they come across the Pure Land teaching at the near end-of-life and practice exclusive Amitabha Recitation, they will be reborn in the Pure Land.

So, literally, it seems to talk about the differentiation in aptitude and  capacity of their practice. However, with respect to the connotation of the text, it leads all people of different tiers to recite Amitabha’s name exclusively. This concept can only be understood and realized through the explanation by Master Shandao.

(to be continued)

「三輩文」的涵義是什麼呢？有人認為上輩的根機勝過中輩，中輩的根機勝過下輩，沒有錯，三輩就文面而言，在講根機的不同。

上輩是可以出家精進修行的，中輩是不能出家但是他有能力做一些佈施或者修行，而下輩是沒有機緣出家，也沒有能力佈施，同時平生也不是精進修行，是臨終才遇到這個法門的。

所以，從文字上來看好像是分判根機的勝劣與修行的高低，可是從內涵來講其實不是，而是為了引導這三輩的人都來專一念佛的，這個理趣必須要看善導大師的解釋才能了解。

Namo Amituofo!

July 6 2019

July 6, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha
皈命彌陀

Amitabha Buddha’s light is infinite and boundless, illuminating all of the worlds in the boundless and endless universe. In terms of space, he can deliver sentient beings in any place. Amitabha Buddha is omnipresent, pervading in all Dharma realms throughout endless empty space.

The vastness of Amitabha Buddha has no limit. There is no space that exists beyond the body of Amitabha Buddha. Simultaneously, there is no space so tiny that Amitabha cannot enter it.

At the same time, Amitabha Buddha can deliver sentient beings in any place. Whether you are a Buddhist, a Muslim, a Christian, or a non-religious person, Amitabha Buddha also accompanies you and will deliver you when the karmic conditions ripen.

阿彌陀佛的光明無量無邊，沒有限量，照遍宇宙中無窮無盡的世界，在空間上救度任何地方的眾生。阿彌陀佛的存在，是盡虛空，遍法界存在的。

阿彌陀佛的廣大是「其大無外」，沒有超越阿彌陀佛身體之外的一個存在的空間；同時「其小無內」，沒有一個小小的東西不是在阿彌陀佛的身體當中，所以阿彌陀佛的光明無量無邊。

同時在空間上救度任何地方的眾生。不分你是佛教徒，或是回教徒、基督教徒，或者無宗教信仰的人，阿彌陀佛照樣都在他的身邊，等待機緣要救度他。

Namo Amituofo!

July 5 2019

July 5, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Right View on Buddhist teachings
佛法知見

(continued)

It is because of karmic force that we involuntarily act in unwholesome ways. It is also because of karmic force that we do not do things that we should do, not because we lack kindness.

So, we Amitabha-reciters should always feel regretful , avoid arrogance, and deviant views. Knowing these acts are involuntary, we should be thankful for Amitabha’s  grace and deliverance. Amitabha Buddha already knows our karmic obstructions and afflictions. That is why he embraces and protects us with his unobstructed light. In so doing, he assures that we will not be hindered by various kinds of karma.

「諸惡莫作」卻偏偏會去做，這是身不由己，是業力的推動；「眾善奉行」，我們應該做但沒有去做，並非沒有那種善心，還是業力的關係。

所以，念佛的我們，要常懷慚愧，不起驕慢，不生邪見。既知是身不由己，就要仰謝佛恩，感謝阿彌陀佛的救度。因為阿彌陀佛早知道我們念佛的人有煩惱業障，所以，阿彌陀佛以無礙的光明來攝取我們、保護我們，讓我們不受種種業的障礙。

Namo Amituofo!

July 4 2019

July 4, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Right View on Buddhist teachings
佛法知見

We aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss and exclusively recite “Namo Amituofo”, In addition, we try to perform various wholesome practices and avoid doing anything unwholesome. However, we always find that we cannot completely live in this way. Can we still be reborn in the Land of Bliss through Amitabha-recitation? YES!!!

Why? It is because Amitabha’s light embraces all who exclusively recite his Name.

(to be continued)

雖然我們發願要往生極樂世界，想專念這句「南無阿彌陀佛」，也瞭解要眾善奉行，諸惡莫作，但往往有心無力，該做的做不來，不該做的卻偏偏去做。這樣妄想雜念煩惱深重的凡夫，念佛可以往生嗎？也決定往生極樂世界！

為什麼？因為彌陀光明攝取不捨！

Namo Amituofo!

July 3 2019

July 3, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism
淨土信仰

Master Shandao says, “All good and evil ordinary beings will not attain rebirth in the Pure Land, without recourse to the karmic power of Amitabha’s Great Vow.” Both good and evil ordinary beings must rely on Buddha’s vow power. In comparison, without the Buddha’s vow power, the difference between good and evil ordinary beings is great.

However, if both of them rely on the Buddha’s vow power, there is no difference between them. It is similar to having a big boulder and a small pebble placed in a boat.  Both can reach the shore. However, if there were no boat to carry them, both wouldsink beneath the sea despite the difference in size.

善導大師說：「一切善惡凡夫得生者，莫不皆乘阿彌陀佛大願業力為增上緣。」善凡夫是靠佛的願力，惡凡夫也是靠佛的願力。

如果沒有佛的願力，善惡相差很大，但如果靠佛的願力，其實都一樣，沒有什麼高低的差別。比如石頭不管大顆或小顆，只要放在船上，同樣都到彼岸。如果沒有船可以靠，表面看有大顆、小顆，但因沒有船，一樣都沈入大海。

Namo Amituofo!

July 2 2019

July 2, 2019

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land School: Worldly Truths

淨土宗宗風俗諦

How should we Amitabha-reciters understand filial love? To practice filial love in our daily lives, we should first be thankful for the grace of the Buddha. We should follow and abide by the Buddha’s mind naturally. It is practiced not for ourselves, not for rebirth in the celestial realm. No, not for these!

It is known as “ teaching the body to act as if not acting, as a reflex action.” This is Realizing the Buddha’s mind and allowing his mind to perform the action. The character of being sincere and scrupulous in human relationships is “to act as if not acting.” In this way we don’t feel it is us performing the action.

關於孝順，我們念佛人的心應該怎麼樣呢？是感念佛恩、隨順佛心來行孝道，自自然然的，不以為自己是在行孝道，也不以為行孝是為了能夠生天，都不是！

所謂「體如而行，即是不行」，體會佛心、隨順佛心去做，這個敦倫盡分的人品是行而不行，不覺得自己在做這些功用。

Namo Amituofo!

July 1 2019

July 1, 2019
A quote from Master Shandao’s “In Praise of Pratyutpanna”
善導大師語錄

A text about “compassionate parents”

Shakyamuni Tathagata is actually our compassionate parent, who has given us a variety of expedient teachings to arouse our unsurpassed faith.

《般舟讚》「慈悲父母」之文:

釋迦如來實是慈悲父母，種種方便，發起我等無上信心。

Namo Amituofo!