March 30, 2023

Mar 30, 2023

Pure Land Patriarch - Master Daochuo

道綽大師

(continued)

The formulation of the Sacred Path and the Pure Land Path were inherited from Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, who also defined and named the two teachings of the Difficult Path and the Easy Path. Another patriarch of our lineage (Master Tanluan)defined and named the two teachings of Self-Power and Other-Power.

Nagarjuna Bodhisattva analyzed the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and divided them into those of the Difficult Practices and the Easy Practices. He explained that the Difficult Path totally relies on self-powered practices. He compared them to walking a long distance, which can be painful, tiring, and runs the risk of injury. The Easy Path totally relies on Amitabha’s deliverance. He compared it to sailing on a ship in smooth waters, and we are quickly and easily delivered to Amitabha’s Pure Land.

(to be continued tomorrow)

此聖道淨土二門說,是遠承龍樹菩薩之難行易行二道判,及近繼曇鸞大師之自力他力二力論而來。

龍樹菩薩將釋尊所說一切教法,分析歸納成為難行與易行二道,並說明難行道是全靠自力修行,猶如步行,是苦,其內容是「諸、久、墮」;而易行道是全靠彌陀救度,猶如乘船,是樂,其內容是「一、速、必」。

Namo Amituofo!

March 29, 2023

Mar 29, 2023

Pure Land Patriarch - Master Daochuo

道綽大師

The demarcation of the Sacred and the Pure Land teachings : Whether the time /era is favorable or unfavorable, whether the aptitude /capacity matches, and whether the teaching is aligned with our way of thinking. The Buddhist teachings are divided into the Sacred Path and the Pure Land Path based on the above.

On the Sacred Path, a practitioner has to rely on his own power, to practice the Six Paramitas and accumulate a myriad of virtues in the Land of Saha; in order to cut off all delusions, and realize the ultimate truths. Only then can we join the sacred assembly and attain the fruits as our reward.

On the Pure Land Path, a practitioner has to be reborn in the Pure Land with recourse to Amitabha’s vow power. Only there can he cut off all delusions, realize the ultimate truths, and enter the Bodhi Way.

(to be continued tomorrow)

聖淨二門判:就「時」之利不利與「機」之堪不堪而思惟相應的「教法」,將一代佛教分判為聖道門與淨土門兩種。

「聖道門」是依自己的力量,在此娑婆修六度萬行,以斷惑證真,入聖得果。

「淨土門」是乘彌陀願力,往生淨土,在淨土斷惑證真,趣入菩提。

Namo Amituofo!

March 28, 2023

Mar 28, 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

(continued)

What is the Bodhi Mind in the Pure Land Path? In the Pure Land Path, the mind that aspires to be reborn in the Land of Bliss is the Bodhi Mind. If we cannot be reborn in the Land of Bliss, and instead say “I have to aspire to the Bodhi Mind in this world and practice the Bodhisattva teachings” for my entire life”, it is impossible. For instance, if someone teases your husband, you cannot sleep well; or if someone is attracted to your wife, you become uneasy. If we can’t even handle such simple daily occurrences, how can we believe we can practice the Bodhisattva teachings life after life?

那麼淨土門的菩提心是什麼呢?在淨土門中,願生極樂世界之心就是菩提心。我們如果不能夠到極樂世界,在這一輩子說要發菩提心行菩薩道,那是不可能的。只要人家對妳的先生拋媚眼,妳就睡不著覺了;或是人家對你的太太有意思,自己就開始提防了,還談什麼生生世世行菩薩道?

Namo Amituofo!

March 27, 2023

Mar 27, 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

(continued)

How can the practices of Bodhisattva teachings be realized? If other people ask for your house, you must give it to them ; if you don’t, you are not truly aspiring to the Bodhi Mind or fully practicing the Bodhisattva teachings.

Similarly, if they ask for your eyes, you should give them your eyes. It is the same for your: liver, kidneys, wife, husband, daughters, sons, property, and royal status, etc.

All should be given away. We should endure whatever is difficult to endure, practice whatever is difficult to practice, and give whatever is difficult to give. You have to practice in this way and accumulate merits and virtues continuously for three great countless eons. This is called “practicing blessings and wisdom for three great countless eons, and cultivating these characteristics and goodness for a hundred kalpas.” This is known as pursuing the Bodhi Mind. We simply cannot accomplish the Difficult Path. Moreover, if we aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss by relying on the Bodhi Mind of the Sacred Path, it is regarded as pursuing “mixed practices”.

(to be continued tomorrow)

那菩薩行的顯現是什麼呢?人家如果要你的房子,你的房子就要奉獻出去,不奉獻出去就不是在發菩提心行菩薩道。人家要你的眼睛,你的眼睛就要布施;人家要你的肝臟,你的肝臟就要布施;要你的腎臟,腎臟也要布施;要你的太太、你的先生都全要布施;要你的兒女也要布施;要你的財產、要你的王位都要布施出去,所謂難忍能忍、難行能行、難捨能捨。

這樣一生一生不斷地去累積三大阿僧祇劫的功德,所謂「三祇修福慧,百劫種相好」,這就是聖道門的菩提心。這種難行道我們做不來,而且以聖道門的菩提心來求往生極樂世界,仍是屬於雜行。

Namo Amituofo!

March 26, 2023

Mar 26, 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

All Buddhists, whether on the Sacred Path or the Pure Land Path, should aspire to realize the Bodhi Mind. The Bodhi Mind means focusing our minds on becoming Buddhas. We should approach our study of Buddhism always with this goal in mind.

Those on the Sacred Path seek to be reborn in the Land of Bliss to become a Buddha, without relying on Amitabha Buddha’s deliverance. They are born in the Land of Saha and practice the Bodhisattva teachings life after life. When they are born as humans, they must practice the Six Paramitas and a myriad of virtues. If they are born as animals, they have no way of practicing almsgiving or the other Paramitas. Is their path difficult or easy? It is extremely difficult.

First, they must pursue the Bodhi Mind life after life without ceasing. The Bodhi Mind is realized by practicing the Bodhisattva teachings.

(to be continued tomorrow)

凡是學佛的人,不管聖道門、淨土門,都必須要發菩提心,因為學佛就是為了成佛,發菩提心就是成佛的發心。

就聖道門來講,不是靠阿彌陀佛的救度,而往生到極樂世界去成佛,聖道門是在這個娑婆世界生生世世行菩薩道,生而為人就是學佛行六度萬行,即使出生在畜生道,也是在行布施,這到底是困難還是容易呢?是非常困難的。

第一點,他必須要維持生生世世都不忘失這菩提心,而這菩提心的顯現,就是菩薩行。

Namo Amituofo!

March 25, 2023

Mar 25, 2023

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about “Mere recitation of Namo Amitabha ”

印光大師法語「唯念彌陀」之文

The Buddha’s deliverance and almsgiving is equally available to all. He must deliver me if he delivers sentient beings comprehensively. We are kind of like orphans without any shelter. What would be better for us to think of than Amitabha?

如來拯濟無方,廣度眾生須度我; 吾輩竛竮沒寄,不念彌陀更念誰。

Namo Amituofo!

March 24, 2023

Mar 24, 2023

The 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

25. A Verse about Affirmation by all Buddhas in the North

Wish to be reborn. Wish to be reborn.

Buddhas in the North are as many as the sands in the Ganges River. All of them extend their tongues to verify what Shakyamuni says.

The Buddha appeared in the world for the sake of sentient beings like us. He adapts his Dharma teachings according to the aptitudes, circumstances, and time in which his students lived.

Because the aptitude of people and the timing interact, people are enlightened upon hearing the Dharma. They follow the Dharma as taught and practice without any doubts.

They recite the Name for seven days without interruption. They are so excited both physically and mentally, but feel great pity for those who cannot recite the Name.

They are glad to hear the unique Dharma from their homeland. All Buddhas attest to this teaching and have determined that it is the way to return home.

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.

北方證誠相偈

願往生 願往生

北方諸佛如恆沙 皆舒舌相證牟尼

為我凡夫來出世 隨緣說法應時機

時機相感聞即悟 如說修行不致疑

七日稱名無間雜 身心踴躍喜還悲

慶得稀聞自家國 諸佛證判得還歸

眾等迴心皆願往 手執香華常供養

Namo Amituofo!