March 10, 2023

Mar 10, 2023

A verse about “Extinction of the Three Jewels after ten thousand years”, quoted from “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth” by Master Shandao

《往生禮讚》「萬年三寶滅」之偈:

After ten thousand years, the Three Jewels will be extinguished in the Land of Saha.

However, this Sutra (the Infinite Life Sutra) will survive for hundreds of years more.

During that time, whoever awakens a single thought of Amitabha’s Name after hearing about it,

Will attain rebirth in his Pure Land.

萬年三寶滅,此經住百年; 

爾時聞一念,皆當得生彼。

Namo Amituofo!

March 9, 2023

Mar 9, 2023

Pure Land Patriarch - Master Daochuo

道綽大師

(continued)

Regarding “even ten times”, many people interpret it as the mental act of “contemplating / thinking”, which fails to comply with the easiness of practice indicated as the original intent of the Buddha. It violates Amitabha’s fundamental vow made after five eons of contemplation. Thus, Master Daochuo clarified and interpreted it as “recite my name ten times without interruption”. By interpreting “reciting” instead of “thinking”, he revealed the original intent of Amitabha, and completely restored the easiness of practice. In this way, the original meaning of “thinking” can be properly understood. Based on this interpretation, Master Shandao directly interpreted it as “reciting my name as few as ten times”. The explanation of the patriarchal masters is entirely aligned with the Buddhas’ intent, which enlightens us forever.

對於「乃至十念」,時人多解釋為「觀念、意念」之念,失去了易行之所以易的本懷,違背了彌陀五劫思惟的本願。道綽大師起而糾正之,解釋為「十念相續稱我名字」,以「稱」釋「念」,彰彌陀之本意,顯易行之至極,經意由之而始顯明;到了善導大師則直以「下至十聲稱我名號」取意之。師資之釋,可謂通徹佛意,朗照古今。

Namo Amituofo!

March 8, 2023

Mar 8, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Sacred and the Pure Land teachings

淨宗判教 – 聖淨二門判

Relying on Amitabha's power to attain rebirth in the Pure Land of Bliss and achieve Buddhahood is the basis of the Pure Land Path. Relying on one’s own power to practice and cultivate life after life in the Land of Saha, to transcend reincarnation, and even achieve Buddhahood is the Sacred Path. In studying Buddhism, we must know the difference between the two paths, so as to avoid confusion.

(to be continued tomorrow)

依靠阿彌陀佛的力量往生淨土,到極樂世界去成佛,就是「淨土門」;依靠自己力量在這娑婆世界,生生世世修行來了生脫死,超越輪迴乃至成佛,是「聖道門」;我們學佛必須要了解這兩門的差別,才不會學起來混淆不清。

Namo Amituofo!

March 7, 2023

Mar 7, 2023

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about “upholding whether busy or not”

印光大師法語「忙閑不離」之文

Whether busy or not, under favorable or unfavorable circumstances, uphold Amitabha’s name, and never forget to aspire to be reborn in the West.

隨忙隨閑,不離彌陀名號; 順境逆境,不忘往生西方。

Namo Amituofo!

March 6, 2023

Mar 6, 2023

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

善導大師《法事讚》 轉《阿彌陀經》31偈語

23 A Verse about Affirmation by all Buddhas in the South

Wish to be reborn. Wish to be reborn.

Buddhas in the South are as many as the sands in the Ganges River. They extend their tongues to cover the three thousand worlds in the entire cosmos [to affirm Amitabha’s Vow].

For the sake of ordinary and sacred beings in their own lands, they praise Shakyamuni for transforming his body into human form,

And becomes the Buddha in the Land of Saha of the Five Kinds of Turbidity. His sole aim is to teach and deliver those people with deeply rooted karmic offenses.

They have a false view of self, overly active sensual desires, and a high level of arrogance. They become angry when they are advised to leave the defiled world.

Do you sentient beings, who have been wandering for countless lives, believe the words attested to by all Buddhas are not true?

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.

南方證誠相偈

願往生 願往生

南方諸佛如恆沙 亦舒舌相覆三千

為其本國凡聖眾 讚歎釋迦變現身

出現娑婆五濁內 標心為化罪根人

我見邪貪增上慢 教令出世反生瞋

念汝眾生流浪久 諸佛誠言謂不真

眾等迴心生淨土 手執香華常供養

Namo Amituofo!

March 5, 2023

Mar 5, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

The Dharma that must be believed (continued)

Master Shandao says in the beginning of “In Praise of Pratyutpanna”, “Shakyamuni Buddha is like a kind and compassionate parent, who provides various expedient teachings to arouse your unsurpassed faith.” This clearly indicates that the reason Shakyamuni Buddha appeared in the world is to guide all Buddhist practitioners with various expedient teachings, in order to awaken faith in the teaching of Amitabha’s deliverance through Amitabha-recitation.

必信之法 (續)

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。即使其他法門不信,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。

Namo Amituofo!

March 4, 2023

Mar 4, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

The Dharma that must be believed

Master Shandao says in the beginning of “In Praise of Pratyutpanna”, “Shakyamuni Buddha is like a kind and compassionate parent, who provides various expedient teachings to arouse your unsurpassed faith.” This clearly indicates that the reason Shakyamuni Buddha appeared in the world is to guide all Buddhist practitioners with various expedient teachings, in order to awaken faith in the teaching of Amitabha’s deliverance through Amitabha-recitation.

(to be continued tomorrow)

必信之法

善導大師《般舟讚》一開始就說:「釋迦如來實是慈悲父母,種種方便,發起我等無上信心。」顯明釋迦牟尼佛之所以出現世間,就是要以種種方便來引導所有的修行人,使他們對淨土宗彌陀救度的念佛法門產生信心。

Namo Amituofo!