December 7 2021

Dec 7, 2021

上人法語

淨土述懷

There is a saying: A master leads us by opening and entering the gate; however, it is up to the individual to practice. It also says, progress in one’s spiritual journey relies “30 percent on the relationship between mentor and mentee, and 70 percent on friendship with the Buddhist Way.” We share certain karmic conditions - I appear in the form of a monastic; but, we practice the same teaching and strive for our common ideology. However, I am just your friend in the Buddhist Way and not your master. It is much more appropriate for us to treat each other as friends.

有一句話說,「師父領進門,修行在個人」;又說「三分師徒,七分道友」,我們有緣現出家相,甚至在這裡共同學這個法門,為共同的理想來奮鬥,我跟大家猶如是同參道友,所以在我來講,我不以為我是師父,大家可以對我以同參道友來互相看待。

Namo Amituofo!

December 6 2021

Dec 6, 2021

上人法語

淨宗傳承之第十八願

In simple words, the 18th Vow can be expressed as follows: When I, Dharmakara, become a Buddha, any sentient being in the ten directions who truly believes in and joyfully accepts my deliverance, wishes to be reborn in my land, and recites my Name once, ten times, or for his whole life, I must deliver him to be reborn. If not, I vow not to become a Buddha.

“Even ten times” is interpreted to be recitation of Amitabha’s Name as long as one’s whole life or as short as one or ten recitations, in order to attain assured rebirth. For a person who does not come across this teaching in his present life; but, only comes across it near the end-of-life, it is enough for him to recite once or ten times before his last breath, then he will be reborn in the Land of Bliss. Those of us who come across this teaching in the present life should exclusively recite “Namo Amituofo” throughout our entire lives.

第十八願白話試譯:若我法藏成佛之時,十方世界之任何眾生,只要真心信受、歡喜我的救度,欲生我國,而長在一生、短在十聲一聲,稱念我名,必使其往生,若不得往生,我誓不成佛。

第十八願講「乃至十念」,譯為「長在一生、短在十聲一聲,稱念我名,必使其往生」,對一個平生沒有遇到而臨終才遇到這個法門的人來講,只有「短在十聲一聲」的時間,他念十聲一聲之後就斷氣往生極樂世界了;至於我們是平生就遇到這個法門,所以就「長在一生」,「長在一輩子」專念「南無阿彌陀佛」名號。

Namo Amituofo!

December 5 2021

Dec 5, 2021

淨土小常識

(continued)

Assurance of Nirvana

This reveals that “entering the state of assurance of Nirvana” is to be attained in this lifetime; so, it is not necessary to wait until after we are reborn in the Land of Bliss at the end-of-life. As long as a sentient being recites Amitabha’s Name once or ten times, has one thought near the end-of-life, or recites for the remainder of his life, he will be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land. This Amitabha-recitation is not practiced for the purpose of accumulating blessings in the present life, or seeking rebirth in heavenly or human realms; but, only for “sincerely dedicating and aspiring to be reborn that Land”. In this respect, he will instantly attain rebirth and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression. His status of rebirth is acquired at that moment.

Between the two kinds of benefits - in the present and future life, entering the state of assurance of Nirvana belongs to the present life. From the point of view of Buddhist teachings in general, it is regarded as achieving the assurance of Nirvana after rebirth in the Land of Bliss. However, our School holds a different view, we understand it as attainment in the present life.

入正定聚 (續)

顯示「入正定聚」是在現生所獲得的,不必等到命終往生極樂世界之後。眾生只要上盡一形,乃至臨終十聲、一聲、一念,念其名號 —— 這個念佛不是只為了現世的福報,或者將來求生人天,而是「至心迴向,願生彼國」,這樣就「即得往生,住不退轉」,當下就獲得往生身分了。

「入正定聚」屬「現當二益」中的現世利益。以一般法門來看,認為往生極樂之後才能入正定聚,但是我們淨土法門不然,是現在就能獲得。

Namo Amituofo!

December 4 2021

Dec 4, 2021

淨土小常識

Assurance of Nirvana

Assurance of Nirvana is Avinivartaniya or non-retrogression.

As said in the text on accomplishment of the 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra, “All sentient beings who, having heard his Name, rejoice in faith, remember him even once and sincerely transfer the merit of virtuous practices to that land, aspiring to be born there, will instantly attain rebirth and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression.

Master Tanluan says in his Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth, “If a person merely hears of the purity, peace, and joy of that Land (of Bliss), and earnestly aspires to be reborn there, he can also attain rebirth, and enter the state of assurance of Nirvana.

(to be continued tomorrow)

入正定聚

「正定聚」,就是「阿鞞跋致」「不退轉」。

《無量壽經》第十八願成就文說: 諸有眾生,聞其名號,信心歡喜,乃至一念, 至心迴向,願生彼國,即得往生,住不退轉。

曇鸞大師《往生論註》說: 若人但聞彼國土清淨安樂,剋念願生,亦得往生,即入正定聚。

Namo Amituofo!

December 3 2021

Dec 3, 2021

上人法語

淨土信仰

Amitabha Buddha is immeasurable and unimpeded light. It cannot be impeded by sentient beings’ karmic obstructions of greed and hatred, nor bound by time and space. This immeasurable and unimpeded light that permeates the entire Dharma realm has an aim, which is to seek Amitabha-reciters and embrace them. That embrace means, [Amitabha] is now watching and protecting them, and will receive them when they are close to death.

阿彌陀佛有無量的光明,而這無量的光明也是無礙的光明,不受凡夫貪瞋痴或業障的障礙,當然也不受時間、空間的障礙,這無量無礙遍照法界的光明有一個目的,就是尋找念佛的眾生而給與攝取,就是現在就看著他、保護著他,將來就接引著他。

Namo Amituofo!

December 2 2021

Dec 2, 2021

A verse about ‘anticipation ‘til death.’ from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’ by Master Shandao

We continue to recite Amitabha’s Name at all times of the day,

In twofold exclusivity until our life comes to its end.

Once we arrive in Amitabha’s Land of Joy and Peace,

We will be completely free, in the state of Nirvana.

一切時中相續作,

至死為期專復專;

一到彌陀安養國,

畢竟消遙即涅槃。

Namo Amituofo!

December 1 2021

Dec 1, 2021

上人法語

淨宗判教 - 總顯其義

(continued)

For example, the Tientai School defines Amitabha’s Pure Land according to their scheme of ‘Fourfold Land’, and infers that ordinary beings must be reborn in the lowest realm – a common place for both ordinary and sacred beings. 

The Fahsiang School defines Amitabha’s Pure Land as a superior and splendid realm; but, insists that ordinary sentient beings cannot be reborn there. 

Such misinterpretations do not match the original intent of Amitabha. Master Shandao says, “ these kinds of errors mislead others and cause considerable damage.” In view of such a situation, Master Honen resolutely decided to found the Pure Land School (Jodo Shu) in Japan and wrote a book entitled “ A Collection of Passages on the Nembutsu (nianfo) Chosen in the Original Vow”, which became a primary scripture. The book revealed the original intent of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, as well as the chosen practice for rebirth.

如天台宗以其四土判定彌陀淨土，並判定凡夫往生的是最卑淺的凡聖同居土；

又如法相宗判彌陀淨土雖然高妙，但認為凡夫不能往生。

如此錯解，非彌陀本意，善導大師謂之：「自失誤他，為害不淺。」法然上人有鑒於此，毅然於各宗之外別立淨土的宗派，並撰寫《選擇本願念佛集》作為開宗立教的「本典」，至此彌陀本願的意趣，往生的行體，顯露無遺。

Namo Amituofo!