Sep 15, 2017
慧淨上人法語
宗風俗諦
慧淨上人法語
宗風俗諦
According to the “Worldly Truths” of Pure Land Buddhism, being a person who learns Buddhism and practices Amitabha-recitation, one should try their best, under given conditions, to practice the Five precepts or other good deeds and meritorious virtues as taught by the Buddha, in addition to the Five Relations and the Five Constant Virtues of human relations and morals, even though knowing one’s own potentiality may not be able to complete them totally. Otherwise, we are not qualified as a learner of Buddhism.
For instance, among others, we should be filial towards our parents, be fraternal towards our siblings, provide relief for the poor, protect animals…etc. whether or not we have received the precepts, we should try our best to uphold the Five Precepts and the Ten Good Actions that is appropriate under circumstances and accordance to our ability.
To actively perform good deeds and accumulate virtues accordingly is the basic obligations that a person and, in particular, a Buddhist truth seeker, should fulfill. Having said that, these meritorious virtues should not be regarded as prerequisites or auxiliary means for attainment of rebirth.
就淨土宗的「俗諦」來說，一個學佛人，一個念佛人，對於佛所教示的五戒或其他善行功德，以及人倫道德的五倫、五常，儘管知道自己的根機未能全做到，但都應該隨份隨力去做，否則就稱不上是一個學佛的人。
譬如孝順父母、友愛兄弟、救濟貧困，愛護動物……這些我們都要去做。甚至不管有受戒、沒受戒，都要隨緣隨份隨力去持五戒、行十善，隨緣隨份隨力去行善積德，這是一個人，尤其是一個學佛的人，基本上要盡的本份。
只是說，我們雖然盡這個本份，但不是以這種功德作為往生的條件，也不是以這個功德來輔助往生。
Namo Amitabha!
