Aug 23

Aug 23, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

It is normal that we have many false and miscellaneous thoughts fluttering about in our mind when we try to focus on Amitabha-recitation. As we are ordinary beings, we are full of afflictions. Our vexations will stir up false and miscellaneous thoughts, which is actually the substance (noumenon) of the mind of ordinary beings.

This substance exists in our daily mental activities, which results in false and miscellaneous thoughts that we may not notice. Only when we recite Amitabha’s name, particularly in an upright sitting position and in a state of calm mind, we then can see our original appearance—many false and miscellaneous thoughts flutter about in our mind.

During Amitabha-recitation, if we have false thoughts – thinking of something that we should not think, or conceiving ideas that should not conceive, don’t worry or be vexed. That kind of sentient beings is exactly what Amitabha Buddha vows to deliver.

如果覺得越想專一念佛，反而越是雜念紛飛、妄想起伏，這其實是正常的現象，因為我們是凡夫就是煩惱具足，既有煩惱，就有妄想、雜念。這妄想雜念就是凡夫心的本體。

這本體就在我們日常的起心動念中；我們的起心動念就是妄想雜念，只是自己沒察覺；在念佛的時候，尤其是端坐靜心來念佛時，才看到我們凡夫的本來面目，就是煩惱妄想，雜念紛飛。

我們念佛，如果有妄念──不該想的也想，不該起的念頭也起，這時不要顧慮、不要煩惱，阿彌陀佛發願救度的，就是這樣的眾生。

Namo Amitabha!