June 26, 2023

Jun 26, 2023

A Verse sharing Compassionate Advice and Cautions - quoted from “In Praise of Dharma Practice” by Master Shandao

善導大師《法事讚》慈悲勸誡

Wish to be reborn. Wish to be reborn.

When the time for the Honored One to teach the Dharma was nearly at an end, he sincerely and earnestly directed his students to disseminate Amitabha’s Name.

In this era, in which the five turbidites are increasing, there are more doubts about and slandering of the Dharma. Monastics and householders cast blame and do not listen to each other.

When they see people practicing the Dharma , their hatred is aroused and they attempt to hurt them. By accusing them of wicked deeds they sabotage Dharma practitioners through various means.

It is as if they are blind and have no virtuous roots. In this way they destroy the Sudden Teaching and it perishes forever.

Because of these actions and attitudes, they are unable to leave the Three Wretched Realms and suffer for countless eons. All people should sincerely repent for the karmic offenses of destroying the Dharma.

With great dedication the multitudes unanimously aspire to be reborn. Let’s hold fragrant flowers in our hands, and always offer them to the Buddha.

世尊說法時將了,慇懃付囑彌陀名;

五濁增時多疑謗,道俗相嫌不用聞。

見有修行起瞋毒,方便破壞競生怨;

如此生盲闡提輩,毀滅頓教永沉淪。

超過大地微塵劫,未可得離三塗身;

大眾同心皆懺悔,所有破法罪因緣。

Namo Amituofo!

June 30, 2023

Jun 30, 2023

General Confusion and Misunderstandings in regard to Rebirth by Amitabha-Reciters - By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#6 - Meditation based Buddhist schools believe that Amitabha and the Pure Land are comprised of the Buddha - Nature within our minds. Since our minds already contain our Buddha - Nature, why do we need to constantly recite Amitabha’s Name? They say, “Pure mind, pure land”. Why is it necessary to pursue the so-called Pure Land in the West? Are these beliefs true?

Comment:

This is a kind of “attachment to a law and an abandonment of phenomena” – attaching to the law produced by one’s own mind, and abandoning aspiration for rebirth through Amitabha-recitation. It entirely relies on self-power. It is easy to talk about becoming a Buddha by self-power; but, quite another to actually be able to accomplish it. Our lives pass all too quickly without achieving Buddhahood. We should recite Amitabha’s Name and fully rely upon him.

On October 17, 1936, Master Yinguang returned to Lingyan Temple from Shanghai. He specifically responded to this question in his discourse. The original text is as follows:

Chan practitioners say, “The Buddha - Nature of all individuals is pure and natural without any “dust” (phenomena) attached, that is the pure land. Buddha - Nature has no-birth and no-death, and is permanent without any change. Therefore, its life is infinite. Buddha - Nature is replete, with wisdom and light shining everywhere in the universe. This is infinite light. If a person already has this innate Buddha - Nature, and still seeks a pure land for rebirth, or perceiving Amitabha Buddha, it is redundant and meaningless.” Moreover, they see it as the “dual practice of Chan and Pure Land”, which is also incorrect. This view is entirely biased in favor of the Chan School and is not applicable to the Pure Land School.

(to be continued tomorrow)

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其六:“自性彌陀,唯心淨土。自性本來就是佛,何必再念阿彌陀佛;心淨則土淨,還求生什麼西方淨土。” 是嗎?

答:

這叫“執理廢事”:執著自心之理,廢棄念佛求生之事。這就完全靠自力了。靠自力成佛談何容易,今生今世又虛過了,所以我們不能只談“口頭禪”而不念佛。

當年(民國二十五年十月十七),印光大師在由上海回至靈岩的開示中,專門針對這個問題進行了解答,原文如下。

又有人說:“我們各人的自性,本來是一塵不染,清淨湛然,就是淨土。自性本來不生不滅,亙古亙今,不遷不變,就是無量壽。自性本來具有大智慧光明,照天照地,就是無量光。如果離了這個本有的自性,另外要有個淨土可生,阿彌陀佛可見,那就是頭上安頭,無有是處。”

並且認為這就是“禪淨雙修”的道理,亦是錯的。因為這樣的話,完全是偏於禪宗,對淨宗是完全不適用的。

(再續)

Namo Amituofo!

June 29, 2023

Jun 29, 2023

The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao

善導大師

Master Shandao left his home to become a monk before he was 20. After a few years of practice, he realized the state of Samadhi. “Samadhi”, in Pure Land Buddhism, means seeing the Buddha and the incredible sacred scenes in the Land of Bliss when the mind is in a meditative state. It is very rare to have a young man of around 20 be able to realize Samadhi. It clearly indicates that Master Shandao was already a Bodhisattva when he returned to our world.

善導大師十多歲出家,二十幾歲已證入三昧,所謂「三昧」,就是在定中見佛、定中見到極樂世界的莊嚴聖境。二十幾歲就能證入三昧,這在佛教歷史中是很少有的,年輕就已經達到那種境界,表示善導大師是一個再來人。

Namo Amituofo!

June 28, 2023

Jun 28, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Classification of Teachings – the Two Paths (of Importance and the Great Vow)

要弘二門判

The Path of Importance refers to practicing meditative and non-meditative virtues through one’s own power, and dedicating those merits toward rebirth. This was labeled the “Difficult Path” by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, and “Self-Power” by Master Tanluan.

The Path of the Great Vow totally relies upon the power of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow. It contains Amitabha’s inconceivable power of deliverance, which is also known as the karmic power of the Great Vow. Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow has already been accomplished for all sentient beings in the ten directions. It embraces ALL sentient beings in the ten directions without anyone being excluded! This is why this vow is known as the Great Vow. Nagarjuna Bodhisattva called it the Easy Path and Master Tanluan labeled it “Other Power”.

「要門」是自己修行定善或散善,迴向求生;此龍樹菩薩謂之「難行道」,曇鸞大師謂之「自力」。

「弘願」是全憑彌陀本願力,彌陀本願已預先為十方眾生完成了不可思議的救度力,亦即大願業力,十方眾生萬機不漏,善惡皆攝,弘廣大願,故名弘願;此龍樹菩薩謂之「易行道」,曇鸞大師謂之「他力」。

Namo Amituofo!

June 27, 2023

Jun 27, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

Only by Being Reborn in the West can Loved Ones Forever be Together

In this world, all families and close friends will separate when the appropriate circumstances arise. If we wish to be together forever, we must first have a karmic connection with the Buddha, recite Amitabha’s Name, and be reborn in the Land of Bliss.

Though families and close friends in the world love each other, they can only be together for the time allotted according to their karmic circumstances. They have no choice but to leave each other when conditions change.

The only possible way they can stay together is to form a karmic bond with the Buddha. How do we make a karmic connection with the Buddha? It is by exclusively reciting Amitabha’s Name together, and aspiring to be reborn in his Pure Land. In this way, not only can they live happily together in this life; but, also permanently gather together in the next life.

圖久當生西

世間眷屬,緣盡則離;圖久聚者,當結佛緣,同念彌陀,同生極樂。

世間眷屬雖然恩愛相處,但也不過是這幾十年的和合,幾十年過了,緣盡 了,就彼此各自離開,不可能像現在這樣再相聚。

有可能再相聚的,就是要結佛緣。結什麼佛緣?就是彼此都「專稱彌陀佛名」,彼此都「願生彌陀淨土」,這樣,不只現世六親眷屬和樂相處,未來也能再度團聚,永不相離。

Namo Amituofo!

June 25, 2023

Jun 25, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Impermanence

慧淨法師之無常法語

All Dharmas arise in conjunction with causal conditions. All Dharmas depart when those causal conditions wither.

諸法因緣生,緣謝法還滅。

Namo Amituofo!

June 24, 2023

Jun 24, 2023

General Confusion and Misunderstandings by Amitabha-Reciters in regard to Rebirth - By Master Jingzong

淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識

#5 – “To clear a karmic obstruction, you should recite the name of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. To prevent or be safe from calamities, avoid jeopardies, and pray for babies, you should recite Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s name. To awaken one’s mind with wisdom, you should recite Bodhisattva Mansjuri’s name. To heal illness and ask for longevity, you should recite the name of Bhaisajaguru Buddha. Amitabha Buddha is only responsible for our rebirth。” Are these beliefs true?

Comment: (continued)

One ought to know: By simply reciting Amitabha’s Name, you are automatically including all of the great Bodhisattvas. This includes Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. Therefore, it is not necessary to recite the names of other Bodhisattvas.By exclusively reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name, Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta, and 23 other bodhisattvas are naturally included. These other bodhisattvas joyfully support and protect us 24 hours a day. They are capable of keeping the Amitabha-reciter safe and at peace.

One ought to know: By simply reciting Namo Amitabha, you include all great Bodhisattvas, including Avalokitesvara and Mahasthampratpa; so, it is not necessary to change your recitation

to include the names of other Bodhisattvas. By exclusively reciting Namo Amituofo one can attain great benefits and unsurpassed merit and virtues. It transcends any mantras. Amitabha is the king of all Buddhas and the foremost in light.

淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識

其五:“消業障就念地藏王菩薩,消災免難、求子念觀音,開智慧念文殊菩薩,治病、求延壽

念藥師佛 ...... 阿彌陀佛只管往生。” 是嗎?

答:(續上)

故知:念阿彌陀佛,即是念十方諸佛;生極樂淨土,即是生十方淨土;能以此自利,即能普利一切。不必改口另外稱念十方諸佛名號。專念“南無阿彌陀佛”一佛,觀音勢至,自然相隨;並有其他大菩薩,共二十五位,不請自來,二六時中,歡喜擁護,令念佛人,離諸惱亂,常得安穩。

故知:但念彌陀,即已通念諸大菩薩,觀音勢至,自在其中,不必改口另外稱念其他菩薩。專念“南無阿彌陀佛”一佛,即是獲得大利,具足無上功德,當然超勝任何咒語;何況一句彌陀是佛中之王,光中之尊。故念佛之外,不必改口另外持念其他咒語。

Namo Amituofo!