June 29, 2024

June 29, 2024

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

Two Kinds of Dedication

Dedication, as it applies to the concepts of “going” and “returning,” refers to the benefits we are given by Amitabha Buddha. Dedication is the result of the Buddha’s power. “Going” refers to the form of rebirth. Upon hearing Shakyamuni’s teaching, sentient beings deeply believe in the exclusive recitation of the Name (Namo Amituofo/Amitabha) as our practice, and the attainment of rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land to realize Complete Nirvana. So, the notion of “going” in

dedication includes teaching, practice, belief and realization. It also includes the cause for the rebirth of sentient beings and eventual return to abide in Complete Nirvana.

The Buddha’s dedication to sentient beings through the notion of “going” means the cause and effects of rebirth are fully shared with sentient beings. The Buddha’s dedication to sentient beings in the notion of “returning” means, after rebirth in the Pure Land and realization of Complete Nirvana, they return to the defiled land to teach and guide sentient beings there to attain rebirth in the Pure Land. Obviously, this is an act that deeply benefits others after they have achieved Buddhahood. Amitabha Buddha enables their capacity to benefit others through his dedication to their “returning”.

To conclude, within the two kinds of dedications, the only one who can dedicate is Amitabha Buddha, and those who receive the dedication are sentient beings. So, it is the Buddha’s power that enables both “going” and “returning”. Both kinds of dedications are powered by Amitabha.

However, how does Amitabha Buddha share his merits and virtues with sentient beings, and how can sentient beings receive them?

126 二種迴向(二)

「往相」和「還相」,指佛迴向施予眾生的利益(所迴向的法益),「迴向」則是佛的作用。同時,「往相」也是往生淨土的相狀,具體指眾生因聽聞釋尊說法,深信這句「南無阿彌陀佛」名號(行),從而得以往生淨土證大涅槃(證)。所以可以說,「往相」包括教、行、信、證四法,也就是包括眾生往生之因果,最終歸趣則是證大涅槃。

佛將此「往相迴向」給予眾生,也就是佛將往生的因和果統統施予眾生,這就是「往相迴向」。而「還相」則是指還來穢土的相狀。具體來說,就是已經往生淨土、證大涅槃的人,還來此穢土教化、引導眾生往生淨土。由此可見,所謂「還相」是指,得證佛果以後的利他之行。阿彌陀佛將此利他的能力施予眾生,這就是「還相迴向」。

這就可以得出結論,也就是二種迴向說中,「能迴向」的是阿彌陀佛,而「接受迴向」的則是眾生。如「往、還迴向由他力」「彌陀成就所迴向,有往相、還相兩種」,都是在說明這個道理。可是,阿彌陀佛是通過什麼方法,將往、還二相的迴向施予眾生?眾生又是如何領受佛的迴向呢?

Namo Amituofo!

June 28, 2024

June 28, 2024

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

Two Kinds of Dedications

“Dedication” refers to the way Amitabha Buddha shares his Name (accomplished in his Fundamental Vow) with sentient beings in the ten directions. He allows us to share the power of his Name (Namo Amituofo in Chinese), which is the crystallization of all of his merits and virtues. He freely shares those merits and virtues with us by allowing us to recite his Name.

In his Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth Master Tanluan explains that “All births in the Pure Land and all the acts of Bodhisattvas, celestial beings, and human beings there, result from the power of Amitabha Buddha’s Fundamental Vow. Why do we say this? If not for the power of the 18th Vow, the 48 vows would have been made in vain. We will now use three vows to prove what we mean.”

He then quoted the 18th Vow, the 11th Vow, and the 22nd Vow to illustrate that, no matter whether the dedication is for “going” or “returning”, the process is totally dependent on the power of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow.

“All births in the Pure Land” refers to those acts that are dedicated to “going”, and “all the acts of Bodhisattvas as well as celestial and human beings there” refers to those acts that are dedicated to “returning”. Thus, through the two kinds of dedications, Master Tanluan reveals that rebirth is purely due to the teaching of “Amitabha’s Other-Power”.

The two kinds of dedications also explain Amitabha Buddha’s method for delivering sentient beings. In the dedication for “going”, it explains how all of the merit and virtues required for rebirth in the Land of Bliss are bestowed by Amitabha. In the dedication for “returning”, his power for guiding and teaching sentient beings to aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land and also, instilling the desire to return to the Land of Saha to enlighten sentient beings.

(to be continued tomorrow)

二種迴向(二) 

「迴向」,是指阿彌陀佛以本願名號賜與十方眾生,將功德的結晶──「南無阿彌陀佛」六字名號施予眾生,也可以說是阿彌陀佛將自己所得之功德迴轉方向,施予眾生。

曇鸞大師在《往生論註》卷下之末,做出「覈求其本」釋,指出「凡是生彼淨土,及彼菩薩、人天所起諸行,皆緣阿彌陀如來本願力故。」

接著又引用第十八願、第十一願和第二十二願,論證若往若還,都是乘阿彌陀佛的本願力。

在這一段釋文中,「生彼淨土」就是「往相」,「彼菩薩、人天所起諸行」就是「還相」。曇鸞大師的「往相」「還相」皆緣佛之願力,指出二種迴向都是佛所迴向,藉此以顯明純他力往生的要義。

二種迴向在說明阿彌陀佛的他力迴向、阿彌陀佛救度眾生的方法。其中的「往相迴向」是說明:佛施予眾生往生極樂淨土所必須的功德,和往生後成佛所必須的功德。「還相迴向」則是說明:眾生往生淨土、成就佛果後,還來娑婆之穢土,引導、教化眾生往生淨土的能力,也同樣是由佛所迴向施予的。

Namo Amituofo!

June 27, 2024

June 27, 2024

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

Because they taught me how to attain rebirth in the Pure Land, I feel deep gratitude to my teachers. I recite Amitabha’s Name in order to repay the gift of their kindness.

I especially feel deep gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha, who is my good advisor; and, I am more than happy to offer my gratitude to him for teaching me to be humble.

I am thankful for Shakyamuni’s grace and boundless compassion which taught me to be humble; so, I prostrate before him.

I have praised the Buddha for a long time in order to repay his kindness; and, I will continue to be thankful for his kindness for many eons.

My gratitude for Amitabha Buddha’s compassion comes from the deepest levels of my mind; and, I always try to be aware of his compassionate presence just above my head.

得生淨土報師恩 相續念佛報慈恩

特蒙知識釋迦恩 唯知慚賀釋迦恩

碎身慚謝釋迦恩 碎身慚謝報慈恩

長劫讚佛報慈恩 長時長劫報慈恩

報佛慈恩心無盡 念報慈恩常頂戴

Namo Amituofo!

June 26, 2024

June 26, 2024

Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation

Part One - Benefits in the Present Life

第一部分 有關現世利益

11. Question: Medicine Master Buddha vowed to cure our diseases. Those who practice Amitabha’s Pure Land teaching should also recite Medicine Master Buddha’s name if they get illnesses. Is this correct?

Answer: It is Not necessary! By exclusively reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha, one’s diseases can be cured as well. Please refer to the accounts related to “curing diseases through Amitabha-Recitation”, which are recorded in the Third Collection of accounts on Amitabha-Recitation.

11. 問:藥師佛發願救療種種病苦。雖修彌陀淨土法門,欲求癒病健康,必須念藥師佛,對嗎?

答:不必。專念阿彌陀佛,同樣能夠癒病。如《念佛感應錄》第三集〈念佛癒病〉各篇都是例證。

Namo Amituofo!

June 25, 2024

Jun.25, 2024

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Grace of Deliverance

慧淨法師之救恩法語(一)

Amitabha loves us. If he were not compassionate, we would have no hope of being saved.

Amitabha created his vows for us after five eons of contemplation, and practiced to fulfill them for countless eons.

Amitabha accomplished the Land of Bliss for us.

The six-character Name that he accomplished, is the only credential we need to attain rebirth and become Buddhas.

彌陀愛我們,他若不慈悲,我們得救無望。

彌陀五劫所發的願為我們而發,彌陀永劫所修的行為我們而行,

彌陀願行所成就的極樂世界是我們的淨土,

所成就的六字洪名是我們往生成佛的功德資糧。

Namo Amituofo!

June 24, 2024

Jun.24, 2024

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Impermanence

慧淨法師之無常法語

Seeing the auspicious atmosphere that permeates the sea and sky,

Laughing at disgusting teachings and secular disciplines.

Even though certain people have extraordinary talents and remarkable skills,

They cannot escape death, which can arrive at any time.

目空海內氣飛揚,每笑迂拘厭矩方;

蓋世才華成底用,算來終不敵無常。

Namo Amituofo!

June 23, 2024

Jun.23, 2024

Wonderful Metaphors in the Pure Land School

淨土宗妙喻

Two Rivers and A White Path (continued)

The reference to a traveler walking on the white path, single-mindedly and heading straight to the west, is also a metaphor. It shows that the man resolves “to dedicate his merits and virtues from assorted practices”. According to the Contemplation Sutra, this means dedicating all the merits from the three meritorious practices and “going all the way towards the west”, i.e., the Western Pure Land of Bliss.

The man hears someone on the east bank calling out to him, “Oh traveler! Just follow the white path toward the west.” The voice urging him is Shakyamuni Buddha’s. Why is it that we only hear Shakyamuni Buddha’s voice but cannot see him? This is because Shakyamuni Buddha has long ago entered nirvana, leaving behind his teachings, as symbolized by his voice.

Hearing someone exhorting him on the east bank and another one imploring from the west bank, the traveler resolves to follow the white path. However, hardly has he taken a few steps when someone else shouts out to him, “My friend, come back! That way is too dangerous. You won’t make it alive!” This is an allegory regarding those who have different understandings, practices, and wrong views.

They confuse and distract themselves and others with their false teachings and opinions. As a result, the great benefit of rebirth in the Land of Bliss is lost. They even fall into retrogression by committing evil deeds.

The voice from the west bank imploring. “O Traveler! Come straight here at once with single-mindedness and right attention” refers to Amitabha’s vows.

Metaphorically, it is the Buddha’s assurance to Amitabha-reciters - “Rely on the power of my vows and I will protect you! You need not fear the water of greed or the fire of anger and hatred.”

The traveler arrives at the west bank in no time and joyfully meets virtuous friends. What does that mean? It describes the true nature of our existence. We ordinary beings have been trapped in the endless cycle of birth and death since time immemorial. We are confused and deluded, entangled in retributions for karmic offenses, with no hope of liberation.

Shakyamuni Buddha urges us on the east bank, “You must aspire to be reborn in the Western Land of Bliss!” Meanwhile, Amitabha Buddha beckons from the other shore for our return home.

Let us have faith in Shakyamuni Buddha and heed his exhortation. Let us have faith in Amitabha Buddha and answer his call for us to come home. It is the fundamental intent of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha that we be liberated from Samsara.

No matter how intense and debilitating our greed, anger and hatred are, they will be eliminated by holding fast to the practice of Amitabha-recitation. Just focus on it single-mindedly and follow the white path, the path that is born through the power of Amitabha’ vows.

Our life in this world is very short. It will be over in a flash. We will then be reborn in the Pure Land of Bliss and reunited with Amitabha Buddha. How wonderful and happy we will be!

二河白道喻 (續)

這個人走在白道上,一心直進,向西而去,“回諸行業”,以《觀經》來講,就是三福回向;“直向西方”,向西方極樂淨土而去。

東岸聽到有人在勸他:“仁者,你順著這條白道往西邊走”,東岸這個人就代表釋迦牟尼佛。為什麼只聽到聲音、見不到人呢?因為釋迦牟尼佛已經入滅了,有經典留在世上,經典就像釋迦牟尼佛的聲音。

這個人聽到東岸有人發遣、西岸有人呼喚,他就上了白道。但是,才走幾步,就有人喊他:“仁者回來!此道險惡不能過,必死無疑!”這是比喻那些別解、別行、惡見的人,妄說自己的見解,彼此迷惑動亂,失去往生大利;還有自己造罪退失的。

西岸有人在招喚“仁者,汝一心正念直來”,以此比喻阿彌陀佛誓願。“靠我的大誓願力來保護你!你不用害怕貪瞋水火。”

很快到了西岸,善友相見很歡喜,這比喻什麼呢?這是我們本來的狀況,曠劫以來沉沒在生死輪轉當中,迷惑顛倒,惡業纏縛,無法解脫。

在東岸,釋迦牟尼佛說:你要往生西方!阿彌陀佛在對面招手,呼喚我們。

信順釋迦牟尼佛的發遣,信順阿彌陀佛的招喚,信順釋迦牟尼佛的本懷和阿彌陀佛的本願。不管貪瞋煩惱多麼熾盛。一切不顧!心心唸唸,只管唸佛,踏上阿彌陀佛願力的白道。我們這一生,壽命很短暫,剎那之間過去了,就往生淨土,與佛相見,這是多麼歡喜的事情啊!

Namo Amituofo!