May 25 2020

May 25, 2020

An excerpt from the Chapter on the Meaning of the Non-meditative Virtues from the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra

善導大師語錄

《觀經疏》〈散善義〉:

By merely hearing Amitabha’s Name of the Threefold Body, a person can clear his karmic sins accumulated over many eons, not to mention if he takes refuge in Amitabha with right mindfulness [of rebirth through exclusive recitation]. How can he not attain confirmation and assurance?

但聞三身之號,尚滅多劫罪愆,何況正念歸依,而不獲證也。

Namo Amituofo!

May 24 2020

May 24, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Amitabha Sutra

《佛說阿彌陀經》

The Amitabha Sutra says, “If you travel westward from here, passing a hundred thousand koṭis of buddha lands, you will come to the land called Bliss.” It seems the land is confined to the west; but, we should understand it is an expedient means of expression. It says in another scripture that this land is “vast and broad, without borders or boundaries, and infinite like empty space.”

Actually, the Land of Bliss is the same as Amitabha’s light, which extends infinitely through every Dharma Realm. The vastness of the Land of Bliss exceeds the ability of language to describe.

《阿彌陀經》所講的:「從是西方過十萬億佛土,有世界名曰極樂。」好像有個方位,侷限在西邊,但其實這是就我們凡夫所能理解的一個有限的方便說法。論起極樂世界, 另外有經論說:「廣大無邊際,究竟如虛空。」

其實極樂世界是跟阿彌陀佛的光明一樣,盡虛空、遍法界的存在。極樂世界的廣大, 是包含整個大宇宙的, 即使是大宇宙,也有邊際、範圍,但是極樂世界卻是沒有範圍的。

Namo Amituofo!

May 23 2020

May 23, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - the Buddha’s Enlightening Mottos

醒世箴言

The spirit consciousness cannot be defined by space, time, direction, or dimension. When a person is close to death, he is in the state of transcending the eternity of space and time. If the necessary karma and causal conditions combine at that moment, he will be reborn in another body and begin his next life. ( in either the wicked or virtuous realms)

神識無時間空間之隔,無上下左右前後之分,故亦無過去和未來,臨命終時正處超越時空的永恒當中;若業力現前,剎那之間,立刻前往,投胎轉世,故亦是升沉交關之緊要時節。

Namo Amituofo!

May 22 2020

May 22, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouragement to practice Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

As time goes by, during the Age of Decline of the Buddha-Dharma, the power to inspire and deliver others is weaker and weaker, and the level of morality is increasingly declining. People want to practice virtues; but, they are not capable. They do not know when or if they can achieve Buddhahood. This is the general condition in today’s Buddhist world.

As far as our physical needs are concerned, technologies have exponentially improved our conditions. However, as far as eliminating our delusions and achieving fruition in practice are concerned, our capabilities have drastically declined. This is a matter of irrefutable fact. That is why the great sacred Buddha predicted, “Not even one person will attain the Way in the Dharma-Declining Era.”

No matter how splendid a teaching is, if it is too difficult, or even impossible, for sentient beings to practice, it brings them no true benefits.

隨著距離佛陀入滅年代的久遠,感化的力量次第微弱,社會的風氣愈益澆薄;修行有心無力,證果遙遙無期,這是教界當今的現象,可說觸目皆是。

從物質方面而言,厚生利用之術一日千里;然斷惑證真之道如江河日下,這是無可置疑的事實。故大聖佛陀預先斷言「末法時中,未有一人得者。」

一種法門不論如何殊勝,如果對於眾生是難行,甚至不能行,則此法於眾生無利益可言。

Namo Amituofo!

May 21 2020

May 21, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Taking Refuge in Amitabha Buddha

皈命彌陀

There is suffering in this world; but, there is peace and happiness in the Buddha. Being embraced by Amitabha, we are revitalized and all matters from our past lives are gradually wiped away. We depart from darkness forever, because we are always illuminated by the Buddha’s light.

在世上有苦難,在佛裏有平安。在彌陀懷抱中,我們舊事已過,重獲新生;黑暗永離,光明常照。

Namo Amituofo!

May 20 2020

May 20, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism

淨土信仰

Every person must die eventually. When an Amitabha reciter approaches death, Amitabha Buddha will come personally to receive him, to be reborn in the Land of Bliss. In this way, he is saved from the judgement of King Yama forever, and leaves the cycle of birth-and-death within the Three Domains and the Six Realms. Once we are reborn in the Land of Bliss, our achievement of Buddhahood is expedited. All of this is accomplished through the functions of Amitabha’s 48 vows, particularly the 18th Vow.

人終有一死,人在將死的時候,阿彌陀佛就親自來迎接我們到極樂世界,永遠離開了閻羅王的魔掌,離開了三界六道的生死輪迴,而且到了極樂世界,就能夠快速成佛,這些功能都在阿彌陀佛的四十八願當中,尤其是在阿彌陀佛的第十八願。

Namo Amituofo!

May 19 2020

May 19, 2020

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land School: Worldly Truths

淨土宗宗風俗諦

Our monastery is jointly managed by the Four Assemblies of monastics and householders. In this way, the Sangha does not just focus on matters related to the monastics; but, is also a home for all practitioners. Thus, within the Sangha, no matter whether monastics or householders, we are like a family. We should strive to understand, forgive, care for, and help each other in our endeavors.

我們這個道場是四眾共管,所以教團不只是出家人的家,也是同修的家,因此,在教團當 中,不管出家眾或是同修,大家就好像一家人一樣,應該彼此體諒、包容、愛護、成全。

Namo Amituofo!