September 17, 2023

Sep 17, 2023

The Voice of Master Jingzong - Q and A about the Purpose of Life

淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答

Question. If there is no goal in pursuing any desire, why should we desire to live in the Land of Bliss? If there is no desire for us to pursue, no sadness or happiness, why would we want to live there? Does the Pure Land only offer pristine purity and longevity? I think it is meaningless!

Answer: These are excellent questions. As ordinary beings, we cannot understand how happy we will be in the Land of Bliss. We think there is nothing meaningful - “no sorrow and no happiness, no feeling at all! It’s better to have some feelings in the Saha world.”!?

Actually, this is an affliction that all ordinary beings experience. We, of course, cannot understand the joy and delight, or the purity and freedom in that state of stillness. Why would we want to have longevity in such a place? Basically, we are unable to understand what perfect purity is. It is just like trying to describe the colors and beauty of our world to a blind person.

Those of us who teach should remember that both we and our students are ordinary beings. So, both our descriptions of the Pure Land and their ability to understand are imperfect. When describing the Pure Land ,which is a realm of buddhas, bodhisattvas and sacred beings, to ordinary beings, we should not try to completely describe how happy you will be. I say this because our concept of worldly happiness is imperfect in terms of Buddhism. It is contaminated by our attachment to the “self.” All worldly happiness is based on the “self.”It springs from our sensory and psychological interpretations, which are totally different from the Buddhist teachings.

(to be continued tomorrow)

問(2):極樂世界無慾無求有什麼意思呢?

既然極樂世界無慾無求、無悲無喜,那麼樂在哪裡呢?只是單純的清淨和長壽嗎?這感覺也沒多大意思啊!

淨宗之聲:

確實,如果以我們凡夫,要去理解極樂世界怎樣快樂,我們理解不來,覺得沒什麼意思,“無悲無喜,啥感覺也沒有,還不如在娑婆世界有一點感覺呢”。

其實這些都是眾生的煩惱。我們當然不能瞭解煩惱寂滅那種狀態是怎樣的一種喜樂、怎樣清淨和自在,所以說“只是清淨,只是長壽嗎?”我們根本不知道什麼是清淨。就好像一個盲人,跟他說“這個彩色的世界多麼五彩繽紛、美麗”,他怎麼去理解呢?

所以,對於淨土,對於佛菩薩、聖人的境界,我們不要從正面去說它怎樣地快樂。因為我們心中所理解的關於快樂的觀念,在佛法來說都是錯誤的,都是染污的,都是煩惱的,都是有我執我見的——有“我”在感受快樂,是一種感官、心理,完全不是佛法講的那回事。所以我們無法從正面去理解。

Namo Amituofo!

September 16, 2023

Sep 16, 2023

The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School - Master Shandao

善導大師

Amitabha’s 18th Vow requires us to “sincerely and joyfully entrust”. In which teaching do we “joyfully entrust”? What is the meaning of “joyfully entrust”? It is not to believe other explanations, or the content of our feelings, emotions, or grace. So, what do we believe and entrust in?

We believe that, any person who recites Amitabha’s name and aspires to be reborn in the Land of Bliss is assured of rebirth. It doesn’t matter whether he is a sacred or ordinary being, good or evil being, or whether he hears the teaching in the present life or near the end-of-life, in the Bardo state, or in the Three Wretched Realms.

“Assured” means 100% sure! There is no question about whether we “may be able”, or “may be unable”. This is because it is 100%, not 60% or 99%. In which teaching do we “joyfully entrust”? Master Shandao clearly says, “ the recitation of Amitabha’s Name”!

So, when we “recite Amitabha’s Name” we are already “sincerely and joyfully entrusting”, which is also the aim of what we believe in. Master Shandao explained it in this simple way, so that we can easily understand it and easily do it.

第十八願所說的「至心信樂」,信樂是信什麼法?什麼內容呢?不是信其他的法門,不是信其他的解釋,更不是以心中的感覺、感受、感動、感激作為所信的內容;那信什麼呢?

信不管任何人,聖人凡夫、善人惡人,平生臨終,甚至中陰身,乃至三惡道的眾生,只要念佛 ,願生極樂世界,就必定往生極樂世界。百分之百的,不可能有「或者能夠」往生、「或者不能夠」往生,因為「必」就是必然的,不是 或然的,是百分之百的,不是六十分,也不是九十九分。所以「至心信樂」到底是信什麼?善導大師明明白白、清清楚楚的說:「稱我名號」。

所以「稱我名號」就是「至心信樂」的內容,就是「至心信樂」所信的對象。善導大師這樣的解 釋非常的簡單,讓人一看就明瞭,而且容易做得到。

Namo Amituofo!

September 15, 2023

Sep 15, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Practices (Primary and Miscellaneous)

正雜二行判

The Miscellaneous Practices must contain a myriad of virtues in order to be effectively dedicated for rebirth in the Land of Bliss. If they aren't dedicated, it doesn’t matter whether they are miscellaneous practices or not. This is because the purpose of the miscellaneous practices is to cultivate and become a Buddha while in the Saha world.

Thus, all practices with a myriad of virtues, such as the Six Paramitas, are necessary, but shouldn’t be dedicated. However, if the virtues are dedicated for rebirth in the Land of Bliss, they are still regarded as the Miscellaneous Practices.

This is because, in terms of rebirth in the Land of Bliss, there is a pristine practice. As long as we follow the pristine practice, we are one hundred percent guaranteed to be reborn without self-power, and without relying on the dedication of a myriad of virtues. So, once a myriad of virtues are dedicated for rebirth, it is no longer regarded as a Primary Practice, but as the Miscellaneous Practices.

「諸善」與「萬行」,因為迴向往生極樂世界,才成為往生淨土的雜行;如果不迴向往生極樂世界,那就無所謂雜行不雜行,因為他的目標是在娑婆修行,在娑婆成佛的,理所當然六度萬行缺一不可。但是如果要迴向往生極樂世界,就成為雜了。

因為往生極樂世界有往生極樂世界純粹的行門,只要依純粹的行門,則百分之百不假功用,自自然然就會往生,不必假藉這些萬善諸行來迴向往生。所以一旦以修萬善諸行來迴向往生淨土,那就不是這個法門的正行,而是雜行了。

Namo Amituofo!

September 14, 2023

Sep 14, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

A Silent Rebirth-Aspirant

A silent rebirth-aspirant is a “scrupulous Amitabha-reciter”, an “Amitabha-reciter who doesn’t argue”. “A scrupulous Amitabha-reciter who doesn’t argue” means he doesn’t insist on: discussing theories or flaunting his knowledge, sharing gossip, drawing comparisons regarding fame and praise, or debating and showing off. He is not pretentious; but, simply practices Amitabha-recitation as if he knows nothing more. He always recites Namo Amituofo whether he is busy or idle. Yet, he is still able to complete his daily duties and responsibilities. This kind of Amitabha-reciter is likely to know in advance, when he will be smoothly and calmly reborn in the Land of Bliss.

靜默往生人

「靜默往生人」就是「老實念佛人」「無諍念佛人」,「老實念佛、無諍念佛」即是不講理論、學

,不談閒言雜語、人我是非,不計稱譏毀譽、苦樂順逆,也不愛攀緣,不愛炫耀,既不突顯個人,亦不裝模作樣,只是安分守己、安於念佛、守愚念佛,有事無事一句佛號常掛心口,做好自己本分的事,也默默協助他人。這樣的念佛人,往往預知時至,順利安然、自在莊嚴地往生極樂世界。

Namo Amituofo!

September 13, 2023

Sep 13, 2023

A Verse sharing Compassionate Advice and Cautions - quoted from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’ by Master Shandao

善導大師《般舟讚》慈悲勸誡

Through countless eons, they (ordinary beings) have been drowning in the sea of suffering, because they haven’t heard the supremely important Dharma regarding the Western Pure Land.

Though they have human bodies, they also have abundant karmic obstructions. Because of this, they doubt the Buddha’s teaching and will not accept it.

The Buddhas in the ten directions are filled with compassion and unanimously urge them to be reborn in the West.

These poor beings must bear their illnesses day after day, and say we receive no rewards from reciting the Buddha’s name.

It is extremely difficult to awaken such people, because they have been asleep so long beneath the blanket of ignorance.

曠劫以來沉苦海,西方要法未曾聞;

雖得人身多有障,不受佛化反生疑。

六方如來慈悲極,同心同勸往西方;

長病遠行不計日,念佛即道無功夫。

如此之人難化度,無明被底且長眠。

Namo Amituofo!

September 12, 2023

Sep 12, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Impermanence

慧淨法師之無常法語

The body will soon stop, because the fire of death must come. It can burn and extinguish everything, like fire on a piece of dry wood.

此身不久停,死火必來至,能燒滅一切,如火焚乾薪。

Namo Amituofo!

September 11, 2023

Sep 11, 2023

Master Jingzong Answers Questions about the Purpose of Life

淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答

(Continuation 5/5 to answer the question: How can we attain real happiness in the Land of Saha?)

Though we [exclusive Amitabha-reciters] must deal with the trivial matters of daily life related to family, work and health; these issues can actually increase our reliance on Amitabha, and admiration for the Pure Land.

So, afflictions in daily life are like turbid water which can nourish the lotus flower of Amitabha-recitation, which exudes a beautiful fragrance when it blooms. That is to say, when facing afflictions, we are not the same as other people in the world who suffer from one day to the next. We can have more of the wonderful fragrance of Dharma Joy through Amitabha-recitation.

I hope you and the people with whom you have a karmic connection, can really feel the joy of Amitabha-recitation while in this world. All other worldly matters are like lightning and sparks, which are as meaningless as passing smoke. Human and heavenly joys are unreal, they have no ultimate or eternal meaning.

Namo Amituofo! Thank-you very much🙏

雖然碰到生活中的瑣事,比如孩子、工作、身體等不如意,也會起煩惱,也會有苦痛的身心覺受,但是反而促進我們對彌陀的仰賴、對淨土的嚮往、對念佛的信心。

所以,生活中的苦惱就像污濁的泥水,更加滋養念佛的蓮花,更加使我們念佛的蓮花綻放香味。

也就是說,遇到苦惱,不像世間人只是從苦入苦,一直苦到底,沒有前途;反而是越苦惱越有念佛的妙香,越有念佛的法喜。這就是我們念佛的法樂之樂。

希望您,也希望更多有緣的人,都能在這個世界真正感受到念佛的真實之樂。其他都是過眼煙雲,沒有意義,如同石火電光。人天福樂都是虛假的,都沒有究竟永恆的意義。

南無阿彌陀佛,謝謝。

Namo Amituofo!