December 31, 2023

Dec 31, 2023

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

淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答

Q13: A high school student always recites the Buddha’s name. Should he also strive to study at school?

Answer:

It seems that this student is serious about practicing Buddhism. This is exceedingly rare and deserving of praise. It is a psychological process for most beginners in Buddhism. However, it is better for me to talk about the answer first , so that you can have a clear and definite direction.

In the human world, an Amitabha-reciter “deals with all worldly matters with the mind of transcendence”. We have decided to be born in the Land of Bliss through Amitabha-recitation. Thus, we know the path for returning home. Because of this we deal with all worldly matters with the transcendent mind - assured emancipation through the Buddha’s deliverance.

For example, students take examinations and seek a way to make a living, etc. These are short-term solutions, without a lasting sense of joy and security, because the most important issue in life has not been resolved. However, we can also study to learn to make a living; but, no matter how much money we earn we shouldn’t become too attached to it. We know that we will eventually be born in the Land of Bliss, through practicing Master Shandao’s Pristine Pure Land Path. We try our best to do good in our daily lives, knowing that the gains and losses are impermanent. Because of this understanding, we have a more relaxed temperament and optimistic attitude, without any fear of loss.

(to be continued tomorrow)

問(13)高中生念佛了,還要努力拚搏學習嗎?

淨宗之聲:

看來這位高中生學佛還是很認真的,這一點非常難得,值得讚歎。但是現在還是處在初機階段,不少人學佛都會有這樣的一個心理過程。如同從陰天轉晴天,總是陰陰晴晴。

這裡可以先把答案說出來,供你參考,然後你知道答案之後,就有一個明確的方向。一個念佛人在世間,也就是一般講的“以出世心做入世事”。

我們念佛,知道我們決定往生西方極樂世界,我們有退路;人生有退路,心中有靠山,在這種背景下,我們還在世間生活,所以是以一種蒙佛救度必定解脫,這種超然的心來做世間的事業。

比如世間人讀書,他要考試,求功名,為了將來從事某種職業,掙一份工資,他的目標很短,內心也不安,缺乏安全感,因為人生的根本問題沒有解決。

我們同樣也讀書,我們知道人生的未來決定往生西方極樂世界,那麼掙錢多一點、少一點,對我們來講都不會那麼患得患失,因為我們已經獲得人生根本的利益。隨著我們過去的福報,今生的努力,我們走到哪就算哪。

所以,反而有一種輕鬆閒適的心情、隨緣樂觀的態度,不是那麼患得患失。在這種心境下,反而我們的潛能會得到最大限度的發揮。

Namo Amituofo!

December 30, 2023

Dec 30, 2023

The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao

善導大師

The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned Nirvana. It’s hard to be born there by practicing assorted virtues according to circumstances.

The Tathagata selects the key method – he teaches us to recite Amitabha’s name with two-fold exclusivity.

This verse covers the aim, method, teaching, theory, practice and benefits of our school. It summarizes the Three Pure Land Sutras and the one Shastra. If we can memorize and recite it, it enables us to arouse faith, enhance our wisdom, increase our Dharma joy, and receive Dharma benefits.

極樂無為涅槃界,隨緣雜善恐難生;

故使如來選要法,教念彌陀專復專。

這一首偈涵蓋我們這個法門的目標、方法,教、理、行、果,與淨土三經一論的扼要。

如果能夠將這首偈子背下來的話,不但可以生信心、長智慧,也能夠增法喜、受法益。

Namo Amituofo!

December 29, 2023

Dec 29, 2023

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

正雜二行判

“Assured Karma” and “Supportive Karma” also bear the meanings of king and officer, master and servant. Name-recitation is the master, the others, such as prostration are the servants. It is like when a dragon moves, clouds follow; or, when a king arrives , his officers follow and serve him.

However, if people believe that single-minded exclusive recitation is not sufficient for birth in the Pure Land, and “supportive karma” needs to be done in addition; the mind of “self-power” is involved, and these are considered “miscellaneous practices”.

This is because these practitioners do not thoroughly understand that, within assured and supportive karma, there is actually the relationship of real and expedient. If a practitioner believes their practice is equal, it will be said, “Though there are no miscellaneous practices in exclusive cultivation, there are miscellaneous cultivations within the cultivation of the primary practices.”

「正助」亦有君臣、主伴之義,以稱名為主位,禮誦等隨順之,因而分為正助,恰如龍動雲隨、君來臣侍的風貌。

然倘若以為一心專念不足以往生,須助業補足之,因而五種正行兼修,以求往生,這很明顯地帶有自力,古德謂之「助正兼行之雜修」,亦謂之「助正間雜之雜心」。

這是由於未通達助正有方便與真實的關係而將兩者並重的兼修之,故說「雖無修雜行的專修,卻有修正行的雜修」。

Namo Amituofo!

December 28, 2023

Dec 28, 2023

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

110 The Practice of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow

In his great Fundamental Vow, Amitabha Buddha only selects the practice of name-recitation. Amitabha-recitation is the splendid, transcendent, other-powered practice of the Easy Path established in Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow. If it did not contain these attributes that enable us to attain rebirth, it could not be called the Easy Path.

Amitabha Buddha set forth in his fundamental vow - “If you exclusively recite my Name and cannot be born in my Pure Land, I will not become a Buddha.” However, since Amitabha is now a Buddha, his vow has been fulfilled. Therefore, when we recite Amitabha’s Name, it complies with the law of cause and effect, and matches the Buddha’s aspiration; so, we are naturally born in Amitabha’s Pure Land.

110 彌陀本願之行

阿彌陀佛在其根本大願第十八願裡,只選擇「稱名念佛」一行作為本願,所以,「念佛」是彌陀本願之行。念佛之所以殊勝、超越,之所以叫做他力,之所以叫做易行道,根本的原因就在於它是彌陀的本願;如果不是彌陀本願,就沒有資格稱為易行道,也沒有資格稱為殊勝超越,更沒有資格叫做他力,那麼我們凡夫就不能往生了。

所以,阿彌陀佛本來發了這樣的願:「你念我的名號,若不能往生,我不成佛!」他現在已經成佛,願力兌現了,那我們念佛,自然就因果相符,與佛的願心相應,自然就往生了。

Namo Amituofo!

December 27, 2023

Dec 27, 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

If we hear this rare teaching filled with wonderful benefits, we must aspire to attain it, even if it means sacrificing our lives.

If we can exclusively practice it with no reservations, we will be instantly born in the Land of Bliss when our life ends.

若聞此法稀奇益,不顧身命要求得;

若能專行不惜命,命斷須臾生安樂。

Namo Amituofo!

December 26, 2023

Dec 26, 2023

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Impermanence

慧淨法師之無常法語

Don’t say let me study the Way when I am old.

Most solitary tombs were built for young people.

莫謂老來方學道,孤墳多是少年人。

Namo Amituofo!

December 25, 2023

Dec 25, 2023

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

淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答

(continuation of the answer to Q12 - 3/3)

Can we escape the bondage of reincarnation in this life? Wouldn’t we need perfect wisdom and compassion similar to Guanyin Bodhisattva? How can we ignorant ordinary beings accomplish this?

Is it possible by relying only on ourselves in daily life? No, it is almost impossible!

For that reason, isn’t it wonderful to have the Pure Land teaching and the recitation of Namo Amituofo? Without greatly disrupting our daily lives, we only need to aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land, and exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name as often as we can. In so doing, we are protected by Amitabha’s light, and received by the Buddha and bodhisattvas within a lotus flower when we are near our time of death. Once reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land we will transcend reincarnation within the Three Domains forever and realize unsurpassed Nirvana.

Buddhism does not just point out that life contains suffering and the matter of birth-and-death is of great importance. It provides countless teachings to deal with these issues. Among them, Amitabha-recitation is the easiest, simplest, and the most splendid.

This teaching doesn't just resolve our own problems, it can also resolve those of our parents, spouses, children, siblings and friends. Just share this wonderful teaching with them. The ultimate blessings in life and the ultimate truth of the universe are within the six-character Name - Namo Amituofo!

如果在這一生當中,能夠突破生死輪迴的繫縛,就像觀世音菩薩一樣,圓通自在,這人生大事不就完成了嗎?那麼如何解決這件大事呢?

靠我們自己這一生,還要在這個世間吃喝拉撒,幾乎不可能解決。好在有淨土法門,專念南無阿彌陀佛,既不影響在這個世間所謂的大事,你仍然去辦,你只要真心願生淨土,隨忙隨閒、早早晚晚念這句佛號,那麼現生得彌陀光明護佑,臨終得佛菩薩持蓮花來迎,一旦到淨土,永遠超越三界輪迴,證悟無上涅槃。

佛教不光指出人生是苦、生死事大,方法也有,有八萬四千法門,但在這當中最簡易、最殊勝的,就是念佛法門。

這個法門不光能解決我們自身的生死大事,跟我們有緣的父母、夫妻、父子、兄弟、朋友,只要告訴他們,這麼簡便、這麼容易的法門,大家都可以解決生死大事,這是多麼好的一個法門。

人生究竟的幸福、宇宙究竟的真理,就在“南無阿彌陀佛”這六個字裡。

Namo Amituofo!