November 5, 2024

Nov. 5, 2024

Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School

淨土宗妙喻

A Bridge from the Saha World to the Land of Bliss (continued)

In short, whoever recites the six-syllable name “Namo Amitabha Buddha” and aspires to be reborn in the Western Land of Bliss, is assured of gaining rebirth there. It is so very easy and simple.

Some people, unfortunately, misinterpret “single-mindedness” [in the practice of Amitabha-recitation]. They insist that the practitioner cannot be reborn despite his reciting the name of the Buddha, if he fails to achieve meditative concentration without delusion. Such a requirement is like erecting a fence several meters high in the middle of a bridge. It totally blocks off pedestrians and vehicles.

When Shakyamuni Buddha exhorts us “to recite Amitabha’s name single-mindedly”, would he want to build a wall to block off entrance to the Bridge of Amitabha’s name? By “single-minded” practice, Shakyamuni Buddha means to protect us. He does not want us to give up the practice or switch to other miscellaneous practices. His words are like the protective railings on both sides of the bridge, guarding us from falling off. He was in fact saying, “Be careful, my child! Watch where you step. Don’t be distracted! Don’t leave this bridge!” It is the same as saying, “Concentrate on your exclusive practice of Amitabha-recitation! Don’t waver and turn to other practices. Never ever give up Amitabha-recitation, which is your only way to liberation. Other practices will lead you nowhere.

15. 搭橋喻: 從娑婆世界到達極樂世界的橋 (續)

不管什麼人,只要他口稱南無阿彌陀佛,願意往生,就會很方便、很容易地往生西方極樂世界。

但有人把 「一心不亂」解釋得很難,說:「雖然念佛,如果不達到禪定摒除妄念就不能往生。」那等於是在這座大橋當中攔腰又起了一道好幾丈的高牆,把所有的人車統統擋住了。釋迦牟尼佛說念佛要「一心不亂」,難道是在名號大橋當中又攔一道牆嗎?不可能! 釋迦牟尼佛說念佛要「一心不亂」,是要保護我們,怕我們念念又不念了,念念又是雜行雜修了。所以「一心不亂」等於是名號大橋兩邊的保護欄杆,保護我們不要掉下去,等於是說:「你要走好啊!

留心啊,不要亂了腳步啊!不要離了這座橋啊!」所以說「執持名號,一心不亂」,囑咐我們說:「你念佛要專心啊!不要雜啊,不要亂了主張,丟了念佛唯一一 道又去修其他行不通的道啊!」

Namo Amituofo!

November 4, 2024

Nov. 4, 2024

Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School

淨土宗妙喻

A Bridge from the Saha World to the Land of Bliss (continued)

The simplest and easiest way to liberation in all the dharma realms of the universe is Amitabha-recitation, which ensures our rebirth to the Western Land of Bliss. Imagine there is a big torrential river. Residents on the east bank are poor, while those on the west bank are rich. Without a bridge, the poor who aspire to go to the other shore will drown. A benevolent rich man funded the building of a big bridge. Well thought out and designed, the bridge enables everyone to cross the river, whether old or young, and even the handicapped. Vehicles of all types can

also drive across without any problem. It is inconceivable that the engineer of the bridge would want to build any barricades, such as a high fence, to block traffic at either end or right in the middle.

The six-character name is just like a bridge from the Saha World to the Land of Bliss. Amitabha Buddha is the engineer who designed the bridge, whileShakyamuni Buddha is the guide who stands on the bridge exhorting us to go across. All we need to do is follow the Buddhas’ calling and walk across it, without the need to bring anything with us.

(to be continued tomorrow)

15. 搭橋喻: 從娑婆世界到達極樂世界的橋 (續)

宇宙法界之內最簡單、最容易的方法就是:口稱南無阿彌陀佛,得生西方極樂世界。

比如說,這裡有一條河,很寬。河東窮,河西富。河東的人想到河西去,但沒有橋,水又急,下水過河的人個個都被淹死。有一個人發了慈悲心,建一座大橋,方便人員車輛暢通無阻。他既然是從慈悲心出發,所以考慮的都很周全,任何老人、小孩,甚至殘疾人都可以很方便地上橋,任何車輛都可以很自然

地開上橋,很順利地過去。不可能在橋頭弄得很難上來,更不可能在橋中間又設一道高牆,攔腰隔斷。

六字名號就是從娑婆世界到達極樂世界的橋樑。阿彌陀佛就是建橋的人,釋迦牟尼佛就是站在橋頭喊我們上來的人。我們只要空著手走過來,順腳步就踏得上去,很簡單、很容易。

Namo Amituofo!

November 3, 2024

Nov. 3, 2024

Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School

淨土宗妙喻

A Bridge from the Saha World to the Land of Bliss

The Pure Land teaching is known as the Easy Path. Why is it called that? Because the path is based on the great power of Amitabha Buddha’s Fundamental Vow. This power assures the rebirth in the Pure Land of all those who recite Amitabha Buddha’s name. Therefore, the practice of Amitabha-recitation must be easy and doable for sentient beings of all aptitudes. In the Amitabha Sutra, there is a phrase which says, “hold fast to Amitabha’s name single-mindedly and without deviation”. If one insists on interpreting this as meaning to achieve deep meditative concentration without delusion, the practice of Amitabha- recitation would indeed be difficult.

When Amitabha designed a method for our rebirth in the Pure Land, do you think the Buddha would go for an easy one or a difficult one? Surely the former!

Only when the method is easy can our rebirth be assured and we can feel joy and

peace. If it is too difficult to practice, we will be troubled. Amitabha knows us well. With his great compassion, the Buddha suffers when we suffer and rejoices when we rejoice. As is stated in one scripture: as you suffer, so do I [Amitabha]; as you feel peace and joy, I do too.

Amitabha knows us well. We are iniquitous and lazy. He would not deliberately devise a cultivation method which is so difficult that it would bring us to our knees in order to be liberated from samsara.

On the contrary, the Buddha would first assess our abilities before devising the means for our salvation. He says to us, “I understand. As sentient beings suffering in this evil world of the five corruptions, you are ignorant and guilty of grave offenses. You are also unable to cultivate for your liberation due to your indolence and slackness. Not to worry. Let me show you a very easy way.

(to be continued tomorrow)

15. 搭橋喻: 從娑婆世界到達極樂世界的橋

淨土法門是「易行道」,容易在哪裡呢?就容易在有阿彌陀佛的大誓願力可以依憑。阿彌陀佛的大願力正是這一條「念佛往生願」的願力。所以念佛一定是容易的,每一個人都 可以做得到的。如果《阿彌陀經》裡 「執持名號,一心不亂」一定要解釋為如何深入禪定不起妄念的話,那也就自然不容易。

阿彌陀佛為我們設定的往生方法,是難的好呢,還是容易的好?那肯定是容易的好!

容易我們才能做得到,才會有安樂;如果難的話,我們做不到,就苦惱了。阿彌陀佛瞭解我們的心思,他是同體大悲,以我們的苦惱為苦惱,以我們的安樂為安樂。經中說「眾生苦惱我苦惱,眾生安樂我安樂」。他不會因為眾生罪業重,又很懈怠,就要故意弄一個艱難的方法來治治他,讓他修得死去活來,然後才度他。

反而會事先瞭解我們的狀況,預先為我們準備,說:「五濁惡世眾生,愚癡無明,罪惡深重,懈怠放逸,完全不能修行,我要用一個最簡單的方法,很容易地把你們度起來。」

Namo Amituofo!

November 2, 2024

Nov. 2, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

136. The real form of the Pure Land of Bliss (continued)

With respect to the palaces and pagodas, human beings understand them as shelters which is an important aspect of a home. In the Pure Land, there is no rain or wind, no summer or winter; so, it is not necessary to have shelter. Similarly, fountains and gardens are necessary as a way to relieve people from stress.

However, since there are no afflictions or hardships in the Pure Land, it isn’t necessary to have gardens with trees and ponds. So, all of these are depicted as a way of accommodating the worldly needs of human beings.

The Great Sutra says, “That Buddha Land is pure, serene, wondrous and joyful. It is equivalent to the realm of unconditioned nirvana. All of its Sravakas, Bodhisattvas, celestial and human beings have the most advanced wisdom, and thoroughly penetrating supernatural powers. They are actually all of the same type and there is no difference in their appearance.

However, in order for them to enter other realms, they assume the forms of ‘celestial and human beings.’ In the Pure Land their countenances are refined, transcendent and extraordinary. Their complexions are exquisite and marvelous, neither celestial nor human. They are all endowed with natural, immaterial bodies, and the ability to assume unlimited forms.”

So, the Land of Bliss is a realm of free will. It can manifest in any form sentient beings prefer. As the Treatise on Rebirth says, “Forever free from physical and mental afflictions, they enjoy uninterrupted happiness. All that sentient beings wish for and delight in can be satisfied. “

136極樂淨土之真相(續)

以宮殿樓閣而言,人類界為避風雨寒暑,故有家屋之必要,無風雨無寒暑之淨土,則無家屋之必要;以清泉花池庭園而言,為賞心悅目,以慰勞苦,有珍草嘉木、清泉花池等庭園之必要,既無勞苦亦無憂惱之淨土,則無七寶樹林、八功德水等庭園之必要。故,七寶樓閣、七寶樹林等,皆是隨順人類界之描

述。

《大經》說:彼佛國土,清淨安穩,微妙快樂,次於無為泥洹之道。其諸聲聞、菩薩、天人,智慧高明,神通洞達,咸同一類,形無異狀;但因順餘方,故有天人之名。顏貌端正,超世稀有,容色微妙,非天非人,皆受自然虛無之身、無極之體。

然而,極樂世界乃如意境界,可隨眾生所欲,而如意變現。如《往生論》所說:永離身心惱,受樂常無間。眾生所願樂,一切能滿足。

Namo Amituofo!

November 1, 2024

Nov. 1, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

136. The real form of the Pure Land of Bliss (continued)

Actually, it is not. These forms are used to accommodate human beings. The actual “forms” within the Pure Land cannot be described, and are far beyond the descriptions of Nirvana in the human world. The realm of Nirvana is an absolute realm, so it is totally different from the forms and marks in the human realm.

Thus, however we describe the realm of Nirvana, we cannot fully understand it. It’s similar to the way cats, dogs, and sea creatures cannot understand magnificent buildings, the value of money, or gold and silver.

Shakyamuni explained the realm of Nirvana to human beings using the analogies of jewels and jades for the palaces and pagodas, in order to show that the Land of Bliss is absolutely splendid.

In other words, the absolute realm of the Land of Bliss cannot be described or understood fully by human beings. In order to help us understand the splendors of the Land of Bliss, Shakyamuni had no alternative, but to use gold, silver and other jewels to describe and reveal the adorned forms of the Land of Bliss.

Thus, in reality, there are no palaces, pagodas, seven-jeweled trees, water with eight virtues in the ponds, and no foods with different tastes. Those terms were used to help human beings imagine those forms of existence.

136極樂淨土之真相(續)

其實,如上之記事,皆順人類界之相狀而說,故《大經》說:「因順餘方。」本來淨土之真相,不可描述,而極樂淨土是遠遠超越人間世界之大涅槃界,大涅槃界即是絕對界,因此,其光景全然異於人類世界之樣貌,故雖對我等人類描述涅槃界之光景,我等亦不可能了解。

譬如對動物類貓狗或水族類魚蝦等,描述人間豪宅的美觀,黃金白銀鈔票的價值,彼等亦全然不能了解。因此釋尊對人界說明大涅槃的境界,便隨順人界用重寶、採勝景之金殿玉樓等,以如上所說,而對我等顯示極樂淨土是絕妙絕勝的世界。

換言之,絕對界的極樂淨土之真光景,是人類之知識所不能了解分別,故為使人類知道極樂勝妙之內容,便以人類世界最為殊勝的事物描述之外,無有方法,故假藉以金銀琉璃等七寶嚴飾花池樓閣,而顯示極樂淨土之莊嚴相。

因此,據實而言,極樂淨土,本來並無宮殿樓閣,亦無七寶樹林,亦無八功德水之七寶池,亦無百味飲食。說有此等之物,乃是姑順人類界之相狀而假說。

Namo Amituofo!

October 31, 2024

Oct. 31, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

136. The real form of the Pure Land of Bliss (continued)

The Pure Land of Bliss is the glorious adorned world where the reward body of Amitabha Buddha resides. Actually, it is a realm of great Nirvana with respect to the Buddha’s infinite light and life. For Amitabha Buddha, it is a place where sentient beings are delivered and are reborn. For sentient beings, it is a place to be reborn, and enjoy its unsurpassed rewards.

The Buddha’s body is the Dharma substance that cannot be compared, fully described, or fully conceived. The Pure Land is the wonderful inconceivable realm where Amitabha resides. Thus, the Great Sutra says, “Seeing the adorned Pure Land, subtle and difficult-to-conceive. That Buddha-land is pure and safe, wonderful and joyful, consisting of unconditioned Nirvana. The Buddha-land is pure and adorned, surpassing all other worlds in the ten directions.

The Treatise on Rebirth says, “ The splendors of the Land of the Buddha of Infinite Life are wondrous manifestations according to the “First-Principle Truth. Ultimately [the Pure Land] is like a void, immense and boundless.” One should know that the real form of the Pure Land of Bliss is so splendid that it exceeds our narrow and deluded imaginations, and limited knowledge.

However, the Three Pure Land Sutras say, “In the Pure Land of Bliss, there are seven rows of balustrades, seven rows of decorative nets, and seven rows of trees. There are seven-jeweled ponds filled with water of the eight excellent qualities. Lotus flowers in blue, green, red and white bloom, fragrant and clear. Palaces and pagodas are magnificent and beautifully decorated with seven jewels. The ground is gold and the terrains are level, without mountains, rivers, or seas.The sounds of music permeate the sky. Birds of different colors sing a variety of melodies.

All kinds of tasty foods naturally appear as one wishes. Everyone is extremely happy. Are all these forms depictions of the reality of the Pure Land of Bliss?

(to be continued tomorrow)

136極樂淨土之真相 (續)

二、極樂淨土之真相

極樂淨土是報身阿彌陀佛所居住清淨莊嚴之世界,其實質是相應於光壽二無量之佛身的大涅槃界。對阿彌陀佛而言,是使眾生往生之處,是救度眾生之處;對我等眾生而言,是我等眾生往生之處,享受無上大果之處。

佛身是不可稱、不可說、不可思議之法體,故彌陀所居住之淨土,亦非吾人之知識範圍所能思議之妙境,故《大經》說:「見彼嚴淨土,微妙難思議。彼佛國土,清淨安穩,微妙快樂,次於無為泥洹之道。其佛國土,清淨莊嚴,超踰十方一切世界。」

《往生論》說:「無量壽佛國土莊嚴,第一義諦妙境界相。究竟如虛空,廣大無邊際。」可知,極樂淨土之真相,非以吾人有限狹小迷暗的思想知識所能思量想像的勝妙相。

然而淨土三經說,極樂淨土有七重欄楯,七重羅網,七重行樹;有七寶池,八功德水,青黃赤白蓮花鮮開,清香普薰;有七寶莊嚴之廣大宮殿樓閣;黃金為地,地面平坦無山無河無海;有萬種音樂於空中播放;種種雜色之鳥出和雅音;百味飲食自然現前,其快樂無極等。

此等記事,果為極樂淨土真相之描寫嗎?

Namo Amituofo!

October 30, 2024

Oct. 30, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land School

淨土小常識

136. The real form of the Pure Land of Bliss

1. The literal meaning of the Land of Bliss

As far as the literal meaning of Land of Bliss is concerned, the Amitabha Sutra says, “If you travel westward from here, passing a hundred thousand kotis of Buddha-lands, you will come to the land called 'Utmost Bliss,' where there is a Buddha named 'Amitabha.' He is living there now, teaching the Dharma.”

The Sutra on Praising the Pure Land (another version) says, “As there is no physical or mental suffering and no afflictions, there is only infinite purity, joy and peace; so, it is called the Land of Bliss.”

This is said to contrast the forms in the deluded world filled with Four Sufferings and Eight Sufferings. Thus, it is called the Land of Bliss because of the absence of the various kinds of sufferings and the complete presence of all kinds of joy. The joy in the Land of Bliss is absolute, not relative. It is true joy that transcends both happiness and suffering. As it says in the Sutra, “Great joy is no-happiness and no-suffering, which is the nature of Nirvana. Thus, Nirvana is true joy.”

The literal meaning of Bliss in the relative sense is the departure from all kinds of suffering in the deluded world, and the enjoyment of various joys. However, in terms of the absolute, it is a real realm of Nirvana with true joy that transcends all kinds of suffering and joy in the deluded world.

One ought to know: this kind of absolute joy cannot be conceived of, understood, or explained by us.

(to be continued tomorrow)

136極樂淨土之真相

一、極樂之語義

就極樂語義而言:《阿彌陀經》說:「彼土何故名為極樂?其國眾生,無有眾苦,但受諸樂,故名極樂。」《稱讚淨土經》說:「無有一切身心憂苦,唯有無量清淨喜樂,是故名為極樂世界。」

經文是相對於迷妄世界四苦八苦之眾苦充滿之相狀,而說無有眾苦但受諸樂,故名極樂。然而,極樂世界之樂,據實而言,並非與苦相對之樂,是超越苦樂之真樂,如《大涅槃經》卷二一〈德王品〉說:「無苦無樂乃名大樂,涅槃之性無苦無樂,是故涅槃名為大樂。」

此極樂之語義,若以相對性解釋,是脫離迷妄世界所有之苦,但受諸樂之世界,故名極樂;若以絕對性解釋,是超越迷界之苦樂的大涅槃真樂境界,故名極樂。而且應知,此絕對性真樂非吾人所可想像,亦非吾人所能了解。

Namo Amituofo!