March 19

Mar 19, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名
(continued)

We, Amitabha-reciters, hence, do not feel that we are accumulating or cultivating merits and virtues for rebirth in the Land of Bliss; we simply follow and abide by the 18th Vow that Amitabha Buddha wanted us to recite [his name] “even ten times”. Accordingly, we exclusively recite Amitabha’s name for the remainder of our life—up to the entire lifespan, or down to just reciting ten times, one time, or even one thought. So, on our side, our practice is “acting according to suchness”, which is “not practicing” [those for accumulation of meritorious virtues]. This kind of “practice without practicing” is actually the real practice according to suchness, and the true practice.

Let’s draw an analogy. We can cross a river from one side to the other by riding in a boat. Although we do not swim from shore to shore, we do reach the other side of the river, because we rely on the sailing function of the boat, not our own physical abilities. We are simply on board the boat that sails to the destination.

所以對我們念佛人來講，並不覺得是在累積或是在修往生極樂世界的資糧跟功德，我們只不過是隨順第十八願所講的，阿彌陀佛要我們乃至十念，那我們就上盡一形、下至十聲一聲、乃至一念的「一向專稱彌陀佛名」。所以對我們來講，我們是體如而行，是「不行」，這種「不行而行」，其實才是真正的如實修行、才是真正的修行。

用一個比喻來說明，好像我們坐船就能夠從此岸到達彼岸，可是我們並沒有從這裡游泳到彼岸去啊！但同樣也能夠到達彼岸。因為是靠船的航行功能，不是靠我們的功能，我們只不過是隨順這一條船的航行。

Namo Amitabha!