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!
