Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School
淨土宗妙喻
Six Metaphors revealing that Amitabha-Recitation is Abundant in
Virtuous Roots (by Master Jingzong)
(continued)
In his “Essential Explanation of the Amitabha Sutra” Master Ouyi says, “Whoever recites Amitabha’s name becomes rich in virtuous roots and meritorious blessings, that are on a par with those of Buddhas.
Therefore, each recitation of the Buddha’s name bestows an abundance of virtuous roots and meritorious blessings.” Amitabha-reciters have the same abundant roots and blessings as the Buddhas. They are naturally rich in virtuous roots.
Master Shandao says in his “In Praise of Dharma Practices”, “The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned nirvana; it’s hard to be reborn there by practicing assorted virtues according to circumstances.The Tathagata selected the key method and teaches us to recite Amitabha’s name with two-fold exclusivity.”
He also says in his “Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra”, “No other practices, however virtuous they may be, are comparable to
Amitabha-recitation.”
As shown in the above scriptures and patriarchs’ explanatory comments, “Namo Amitabha Buddha” is the incomparable name that contains unsurpassed virtues. Since Amitabha-recitation is rich in virtuous roots, the exclusive practice of Amitabha-recitation assures the rebirth of Amitabha-reciters in the Land of Bliss. There they will be able to meet a variety of sacred beings of supreme virtue. Below are a few metaphors demonstrating that exclusive Amitabha-recitation bestows abundant virtuous roots.
►蕅益大師《彌陀要解》說:「持佛名者,善根福德同佛無異。則一一聲,悉具多善根福德也。」可見稱念佛名的人,善根福德與佛平等,當然就是多善根。
►善導大師《法事讚》說:「極樂無為涅槃界,隨緣雜善恐難生,故使如來選要法,教念彌陀專複專。」《觀經疏》說:「自餘眾行,雖名是善,若比念佛者,全非比較也。」
以上經文和祖師的解釋都在明示:南無阿彌陀佛即是萬德洪名,具足無上功德;而念佛即是多善根,專修念佛即得往生極樂世界,與諸上善人俱會一處。下面以幾則譬喻來說明念佛即是多善根。
Namo Amituofo!
