September 28, 2022

Sep 28, 2022

A verse about “ultimate non-retrogression” quoted from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’ by Master Shandao

善導大師語錄《般舟讚》「畢竟不退」之偈

Upon entering the Dharma Assembly within one thought,

Our names are permanently removed from the list of the Three Domains and the Six Realms.

All of the Three Kinds of Thorough Understanding and Six Paranormal Powers are freely manipulated.

As we realize the unconditioned realm, and dwell in the state of ultimate non-retrogression.

一念之間入佛會,三界六道永除名;

三明六通皆自在,畢竟不退證無為。

Namo Amituofo!

September 27, 2022

Sep 27, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Classification of Teachings – Other-Power and Self-Power

淨宗判教 – 自他二力判

Amitabha-recitation is the cause and Other Power is the condition. With respect to condition, we are talking about pristine Other Power, entirely Other Power , because we totally rely on Amitabha Buddha to create the condition. We purely rely on Amitabha Buddha’s Vow Power in attaining rebirth.

With respect to cause, it doesn’t matter whether we have power or not, because we simply recite only Amitabha Buddha’s Name. Everyone can recite, wherever, whenever, and regardless of the number of recitations. So, it doesn’t matter whether we have power or not!

念佛是因,而他力是緣,就緣來講,我們講純粹他力,完全他力,因為我們是完全靠阿彌陀佛的緣,純純粹粹是靠阿彌陀佛的願力而得往生。

就「因」來講無所謂力不力,因為我們只是念佛而已,誰都可以念,什麼地方都可以念,什麼時候都可以念,念多念少都可以,所以無所謂力不力。

Namo Amituofo!

September 26, 2022

Sep 26, 2022

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about “Entirely the Buddha’s Power” (analogy of sailing on a ship across the sea)

印光大師法語「全是佛力」之文(坐船過海之喻)

For example, a grain of sand will sink immediately when placed in water. However, if tons of gravel and boulders are placed on a big ship, they will be transported to other places without sinking. Gravel and boulders represent sentient beings’ heavy karma, while the big ship is a metaphor for Amitabha’s great compassionate power.

If we do not recite Amitabha’s Name and rely on our own power of cultivation to end our cycle of birth-and-death, we must reach a state in which our karmas are completely extinguished and our emotions are empty. We cannot liberate ourselves from the cycle of birth-and-death. Even if we have a tiny strand of affliction and delusive karma remaining , like a grain of sand we will sink to the bottom of the water, because a grain of sand cannot float on the water on its own.

譬如一顆沙子,入水即沉,縱有數千萬斤石,裝於大火輪船中,即可不沉而運於他處,以隨意使用也。石喻眾生之業力深重,大火輪喻彌陀之慈力廣大。若不念佛,仗自己修持之力,欲了生死,須到業盡情空地位方可。否則縱令煩惱惑業斷得只有一絲毫,亦不能了, 喻如極小之沙子,亦必沉於水中,決不能自己出於水外。

Namo Amituofo!

September 25, 2022

Sep 25, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching of the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School – the 18th Vow

淨宗傳承之第十八願

(continued)

It is the same as saying, “When I become a Buddha, there will be none of the Three Wretched Realms in my land. It is my original aim to bear all of the offensive karmas of sentient beings in the Three Wretched Realms; so, you need not worry at all that your karmic offenses may prevent you from being reborn. You should deeply believe without any doubt; but, at the same time, you should try your best to discipline yourselves by refraining from doing evil and practicing good. Because of our habitual behaviors, we all find it difficult to stop doing evil. However, at least you can try to stop committing the heavy transgressions, such as the Five Gravest Offenses, or slandering the right Dharma. If you don’t care enough to try to refrain from committing these two serious categories of offenses, you still have no excuse for not being able to be reborn in my land. These are the words of caution in the last part of the 18th Vow – Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offences and abuse the right Dharma.

這等於是說:「我成佛時,國無三惡道,本來就是要承擔眾生三惡道的罪業,所以,你們絲毫不必擔心自己罪業太重而不能往生,反而要深信無疑;但也要謹慎,從今以後,要盡力收束自己的罪業,儘量去惡行善,固然因為造惡成習而難以全部制止,但至少至少不能造五逆、謗法的重罪,如果不收攝、不謹慎,犯此二罪,即是罪不可宥,不能往生我國。」這就是第十八願最後的抑止──「唯除五逆,誹謗正法」。

Namo Amituofo!

September 24, 2022

Sep 24, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching of the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School – the 18th Vow

淨宗傳承之第十八願

Dharmakara Bodhisattva made vows to accomplish a land without the Three Wretched Realms. As his aim is to deliver sentient beings who commit karmic offenses in the Three Wretched Realms (desire, form, and formless), their karmic offenses should not be obstructions hindering them from attaining rebirth. Rather, it is their doubts and deviant views that contribute to those great obstructions.

Thus, in order that none of the sentient beings with karmic offenses misses the path of assured rebirth, Amitabha Buddha must first clear their doubts and deviant views.

(to be continued tomorrow)

法藏菩薩發願成就無三惡道的國土,既然以救度造作三惡道罪業的眾生為目的,十方眾生的罪業也就不成為往生的障礙,反而是疑心及邪見會成為大障礙。

因此,法藏菩薩為了讓十方造罪眾生絕無一漏地往生,最後還必須要掃除我們的疑心和邪見。

Namo Amituofo!

September 23, 2022

Sep 23, 2022

31 Verses Explaining the Amitabha Sutra from the “Praise of Dharma Practices” by Master Shandao

善導大師《法事讚》 轉《阿彌陀經》31偈語

13. A Verse to Praise the Non-Sentient Beings Preaching the Dharma

Wishing to be reborn, wishing to be reborn

The adorned Land of Bliss enables ordinary beings to leave the Three Domains. All assorted heavenly and human beings will be equal by rebirth in that unconditioned realm.

This is because Dharmakara Bodhisattva’s vows are great and his practices were extensive. The revelation of “if, when I attain Buddhahood” is rare and wonderful.

Sometimes, the manifested body of a bird can speak of the Dharma. Sometimes, an unexpected friend is manifested who can accommodate sentient beings of different aptitudes

Sometimes, subtle sound waves are manifested to produce wondrous music. Sometimes, trees and woods are manifested to praise the Buddha’s compassion.

Sometimes, wind and light are manifested and move in harmony. Sometimes, nets are manifested in order to share notes and messages.

All kinds of adorned sounds surround us, and celestial musical notes, as many as the sands of the Ganges River, are automatically played in time.

In order to entice all sacred and ordinary beings in other worlds, the Buddha manifests these inconceivable scenes.

Upon hearing this, all of us are so happily surprised that our hair stands on end. With regrets for my misdeeds, I wholeheartedly thank our teacher, Amitabha.

Once I accept this teaching I will wholeheartedly dedicate my life to its practice. It can never be too late to start, because we can arrive in the Pure Land in a flash.

The multitude should dedicate their merit and aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land. Let’s hold fragrant flowers in our hands, and always offer them to the Buddha.

13. 讚無情說法偈

願往生 願往生

極樂莊嚴出三界 人天雜類等無為

法藏行因廣弘願 設我得佛現稀奇

或現鳥身能說法 或現無請能應機

或使微波出妙響 或使林樹讚慈悲

或使風光相應動 或令羅網說音辭

一切莊嚴聲遍滿 恆沙天樂自依時

為引他方凡聖類 故佛現此不思議

我等聞之身毛豎 碎骨慚謝阿彌師

一受專精不惜命 須臾即到豈為遲

眾等迴心皆願往 手執香華常供養

Namo Amituofo!

September 22, 2022

Sep 22, 2022

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

Merit-Dedication of Other-Power (continued)

The Infinite Life Sutra says, “If I should not become a great benefactor, in lives to come for immeasurable kalpas, and be able to save the poor and afflicted everywhere, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.” It also says, “I will open the Dharma-Store for the multitudes, and endow them all with treasures of merit.”

Pure Land teaching is the Dharma Store accomplished by Amitabha Buddha for us. This Dharma store is the great six-syllable name. Amitabha Buddha is the great benefactor who gives his merit and virtues to us, so that we can leave the suffering of reincarnation within the Six Realms, and leave the spiritual poverty that prevents us from achieving Buddhahood. It shows that the cause and effect of our rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land is entirely Amitabha’s merit-dedication of Other-Power to us.

他力迴向

《無量壽經》說:「我於無量劫,不為大施主,普濟諸貧苦,誓不成等覺」。又說:「為眾開法藏,廣施功德寶」。

淨土法門,是阿彌陀佛為我們所完成的「法藏」,這個法藏就是六字名號。阿彌陀佛以「大施主」的身分將功德布施給我們,使我們離開六道輪迴之「苦」,離開不能成佛之「貧」。顯示往生彌陀淨土之因果,完全都是阿彌陀佛他力迴向給我們的。

Namo Amituofo!