Aug 28

Aug 28, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

A true reciting is not merely recite by mouth, but recite by body. To recite by body means to remember Amitabha, to think of Amitabha, which is to apply the teachings into practice. The purpose of the teachings in Buddhist scriptures is to facilitate readers to practice accordingly.

Reciting sutras certainly has merits and virtues; but the original purpose of the sutras is not merely for reading. It is rather, through reading, facilitate readers to understand the teachings, and subsequently observe and practice the teachings accordingly.

Hence, once we have read the three Pure Land sutras, we can put them aside and then recite the Name single-mindedly and exclusively. Just like Master Honen in his old age, he no longer recites the sutras—not even a single one, but focuses on the practice of Amitabha-recitation. He only recites “Namo Amituofo” exclusively. That’s an example of becoming more and more focused.

真正的讀誦，不是只用口去讀誦，而是用身體去讀誦，身體去讀誦就是憶佛、念佛，也就是去實踐它。因為經文講教理之用意，是要讓人依教理去實行。

所以，誦經固然有其功德，但是經的本身目的，不是只要人家去誦，而是要人家通過讀誦之後，了解它的教理，然後依教奉行去實踐。

因此，我們讀誦淨土三部經之後，淨土三部經就可以擱在一邊，然後專一去念這句名號。就像法然上人，到了年老的時候就一部也不誦，就只專一念佛，他都是專念「南無阿彌陀佛」！這個就是越來越專了。

Namo Amitabha!