March 29 2021

Mar 29, 2021

A verse about “Realization of the Dharma Body” from ‘In Praise of Dharma Practice’

《法事讚》「證得法身」之偈:

We are excited to see the lotus platform,

To follow the Buddha freely and return to naturalness.

Naturalness is Amitabha’s land.

Returning to reality instantly, in the state of no-outflow and no-birth.

We follow the Buddha wherever he goes and pauses.

We realize the body of unconditioned Dharma Nature.

既見華台心踴躍, 從佛逍遙歸自然;

自然即是彌陀國, 無漏無生還即真;

行來進止常隨佛, 證得無為法性身。

Namo Amituofo!

March 28 2021

Mar 28, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Path

《淨宗傳承之總顯其義》

No matter how we fold and unfold the Pure Land teaching, we cannot abandon the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha. What are the connotations of the Fundamental Vow? We can’t really understand the Fundamental Vow as stated in the scripture, so we need the explanations of the patriarchs.

Among all the great masters who explained Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow in different ways, our lineage only accepts the pristine explanations of Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tanluan, Daochuo, and Shandao.

淨土法門千開萬合,都離不開阿彌陀佛的根本願,根本願的內涵是什麼呢?我們自己看根本願的經文不能真實理解,所以必需要透過祖師的解釋。

然而,究實而言,歷代高僧大德雖對阿彌陀佛根本願有各種內容的詮釋,但只有龍樹、天親、曇鸞、道綽、善導幾位祖師的解釋,可以說都是很純粹的,是一棒接一棒,是上傳下承,內容都一致的。

Namo Amituofo!

March 27 2021

Mar 27, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Care of Life and a Vegetarian Diet

護生與素食

The piece of meat on the table is a part of one of the sentient beings of the ten directions to be delivered by Amitabha Buddha, isn’t it? It is! However, if we must kill it and eat it, we should feel ashamed.

If it is inevitable for us to eat it, we should recite Amitabha’s Name – to sincerely and joyfully entrust ourselves to Amitabha’s deliverance, and aspire to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land. We should then continue reciting Amitabha’s Name for the rest of our lives.

因為阿彌陀佛是要救度十方眾生,那麼,現在桌上擺的這塊肉,是不是阿彌陀佛救度的十方眾生之一?是啊!而我們卻把它加以殺、吃,所以,我們就會有慚愧心。我們不是故意要去殺它、吃它,是我們的環境不許可,有一種慚愧的心。

如果還是非吃不可,那只有念佛——「至心信樂,欲生我國」,之後就是延續的「乃至十念」的念佛,不然怎麼辦?

Namo Amituofo!

March 26 2021

Mar 26, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Care of Life and a Vegetarian Diet

護生與素食

Eating meat or not eating meat are not conditions for rebirth. Sentient beings of the ten directions are different in their circumstances and aptitudes. If you are able to abstain from eating meat, you should do it; but, if you must eat meat, go ahead.

However, when you eat meat, you shouldn’t say, “Oh, it doesn’t matter, Amitabha will still deliver me.” It is better if we feel regretful.

吃肉和不吃肉都不是往生的條件,往生沒有規定你要吃肉或者要吃素,這個都沒有規定。十方眾生各各機緣不一樣,你能夠不吃肉的話,那就不吃,但是非吃肉不可的話,那就吃。

但是你的吃肉並不是說:「哎呀,好啊!我有阿彌陀佛救度啦,所以可以盡情地吃啊」,不是這樣的,心中自然會有慚愧。

Namo Amituofo!

March 25 2021

Mar 25, 2021

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouraging the practice of Amitabha-Recitation

念佛警策

Following the Sutra of the Fundamental Karma of the Bodhisattva’s Ornamental Wreath, Master Daochuo said that it takes ten thousand kalpas to realize the state of non-retrogression. As ordinary beings in the Land of Saha, our afflictions are heavy and deep, and our roots of faith are as light as a feather, which drifts here and there.

For these reasons it will take us much longer than ten thousand kalpas to realize non-retrogression. During this period of time, we will be born in hell, or in the realm of hungry ghosts, or humans. Thus, we go up and down in the sea of the Six Realms. Isn’t it painful?

If we believe that we can enter the state of non-retrogression through rebirth and transcend all merits and practices accumulated in ten thousand kalpas within this lifetime (regardless of the length of one’s life), through exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name, as said in the Three Pure Land Sutras, why don’t we give up the difficult, and take the easy way and practice the Pure Land teaching?

道綽大師說,依照《菩薩瓔珞本業經》所說,要經過一萬劫才能證到不退的果位,我們凡夫在娑婆世界都是煩惱深重,而且信念無根,如同輕毛,隨風東飄西飄的,豈只是一萬劫的時間呢?而且在這一萬劫當中忽爾地獄,忽爾餓鬼,忽爾畜牲,忽爾人間,在六道裡面浮沉,豈不痛苦嗎?

如果能明信淨土三經所講,只要專稱彌陀佛名,在這一輩子不管壽命長、壽命短,往生之後就進入不退了,當下跨越了一萬劫的時間與功行。知道了這個道理,為什麼不捨難行取易行修淨土法門呢?

Namo Amituofo!

March 24 2021

Mar 24, 2021

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

淨土信仰

The meaning of rebirth – letting go of our present life and going to the Pure Land, to be reborn as a manifestation upon a lotus flower. By closing our eyes during death, we sit cross-legged upon the lotus platform. Rebirth is a special term in the Pure Land School of Buddhism. It is a kind of feeling of splendor, light, nobility and uniqueness, which is worthy of praise with words of admiration and respect.

A person who attains rebirth through Amitabha-recitation is to be reborn naturally, by manifestation on a jeweled pond in the Land of Bliss. It does not require any deliberate action. In this way rebirth is truly noble and magnificent, it implies emancipation and becoming a Buddha.

往生之義──捨此往彼,蓮花化生;行者瞑目之刻,即是蓮台結趺之時。「往生」這兩個字,在我們佛教、尤其是我們淨土宗來講,有特別的含義,給人一種殊勝、光明、尊貴、難得的感覺,是值得讚歎、欽敬的語言。

念佛往生淨土之人,就在極樂國土的七寶花中,自然、不假造作地化生了。所以,「往生」兩個字非常的尊貴、殊勝,往生意味解脫與成佛。

Namo Amituofo!

March 23 2021

Mar 23, 2021

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

淨土宗宗風俗諦

(continued)

So, an Amitabha-reciter who has learned how to become a Buddha should serve as a role model. In so doing, Amitabha Buddha and all Buddhas in the ten directions rejoice; and all devas, guardians and dragons praise him. If he does not, even though he can be reborn through Amitabha-recitation, Amitabha Buddha may feel disappointed in him because he doesn’t try his best to fulfill these duties.

In order to truly repay the Buddha’s grace, we should universally spread the teaching of Buddha’s great compassion. To accomplish that, we must be disciplined in our behavior within the three karmas.

所以學佛念佛的人,要起模範的作用,這樣阿彌陀佛、十方諸佛都歡喜,護法龍天也會擁護讚歎。不然的話, 雖然念佛可以往生,但是責任義務都沒有去盡到,阿彌陀佛的心中也會為我們遺憾啊!

「大悲傳普化」才能夠「真成報佛恩」,要能夠大悲傳普化,也要從端正我們的三業行為開始。

Namo Amituofo!