Aug 31 2017

Aug 31, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

There are three kinds of Amitabha-recitation – Amitabha-recitation by self-power, combined power of oneself and the Buddha, commonly known as Amitabha-recitation by dual-power, and Amitabha-recitation by pristine other-power.

Amitabha-recitation by self-power – treating “Namo Amitabha” same as other virtues, and putting “Namo Amitabha” on an equal footing with other meritorious virtues like pilgrimage, repentance service, giving, holding precepts, forgiveness, vigor, meditation and wisdom, or with filial piety to parents, attending on teachers and seniors, and cultivating virtuous practices. They recite Amitabha’s name with such a kind of mentality and perform other virtuous deeds as well, and then dedicate them for rebirth in the Land of Bliss.

Because they do not understand that the great name represents a myriad of virtues, they underestimate the value of this Buddha’s name, and equate it to values of other meritorious virtues. With this attitude, a person recites Amitabha’s name while performing other virtuous practices. This is called Amitabha-recitation by self-power.

(continued tomorrow)

稱名念佛有三種：一種是自力的念佛；一種是自他力，也就是一般講的二力的念佛；另外一種就是純粹他力的念佛。

自力的念佛，就是將「南無阿彌陀佛」與其他善事作同等的看待，認為這句「南無阿彌陀佛」跟朝山、拜懺，以及布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、禪定、智慧，或孝順父母、奉侍師長、修習善業的這些功德，是齊等的，抱著這樣的觀念念佛，並兼做其他善事，然後迴向極樂世界。

由於不了解佛號是萬德洪名，而將這句佛號的價值， 跟其他功德的價值同等看待，抱持這種心態，一面念佛一面修其他功德來迴向，這叫「自力念佛」。

Namo Amitabha!