Nov 30 2017

Nov 30, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風真諦

Buddhist teachings, the Pure Land School in particular, are teachings of practice, not knowledge.  Although we have the three Sutras of the Pure Land and works of the patriarchs as literatures of our linage, these are not the goal. We have also published dozens of books, yet this is not the goal. This is a kind of preparatory education, an expedient means for learners.

Hence, we have to choose between expediency and truth, means and end. Having said that, our school will not hesitate to explore theoretical issues when necessary; at the end, however, the goal remains aiming practice.

佛教裏面，尤其淨土宗更是實踐的法門，而不是講學問的法門。即使我們有淨土三經，以及祖師論著等依據傳承，但這都不是目的；甚至我們有出版好幾十本書，也不是目的，這都是一種前方便，也就是預備教育。

所以，方便與真實、手段和目的，必須有所取捨。我們這個法門，需要探討理論時，也無妨多探討，但最後還是在於實踐。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 29

Nov 29, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

What is the heaviest burden in our life? Not money we owe, not lack of food to eat for a day, as they can be overcome anyway. It will get over eventually. The heaviest burden is reincarnation of birth and death, which is unbearable.

It is Amitabha Buddha who takes over and bears this burden for us. He clears our karmic obstruction that lead us to reincarnation of birth and death, and he accomplishes all pure karma for us necessary in achieving Buddhahood. Here comes the saying, “He shoulders the heavy karmic burdens for a multitude of sentient beings’.

Amitabha Buddha takes over all of our heavy burdens. We merely rely on him, recite his Name, and then we can acquire his unsurpassed merits and virtues, and get our karmic offenses cleared. Hence, the Infinite Life Sutra says, “Without being requested, he gives them (merits and virtues) to the poor.”

我們人生最重的擔子是什麼？不是欠人家的錢、 也不是三餐不繼，這些再怎樣都會過去、會突破的；最重的是生死輪迴這個擔子，是我們擔負不起的。

而阿彌陀佛正是要承擔我們這個重擔，要為我們解決生死輪迴的業障，成就我們成佛的道業，所以說「荷負群生，為之重擔」。

阿彌陀佛把我們的一切承擔起來。只要依靠祂、稱念祂的名字，就可以消除我們的業障，獲得無上 的功德，所以《無量壽經》說：「以不請之法，施諸黎庶。」

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 28

Nov 28, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

If we realize the greatest matter in our life is rebirth and do not give up our aspiration to be reborn [in the Land of Bliss], we will naturally be mindful of Amitabha-recitation without forsaking. Every individual is different in capacity and aptitude – some diligent, some distracted; but this doesn’t matter.

Although we may not recite many, we have to keep reciting “without forsaking”. Mindful. Those who recite a few may have more false thoughts and more afflictions, and they may suffer more at the time near to end-of-life. Those who recite more may have less obstruction at the time near to end-of-life.

Wherever thoughts arise, weight follows. With the weight of delusive thoughts, we will feel difficult to bear. However, with Amitabha-recitation, we will feel much better and relaxed.

如果能體會到一生中往生之事最大，願生之心不捨，自然就會念念不捨。每個人根基不同，有的人精進，有的人雜念多，都沒關係。

雖然念不多，但都必須有一種「念念不捨」的心。只是，少念佛者，妄念多煩惱重，臨終多痛苦；常念佛者，臨終較少障礙。

因為有念頭，就有重量：有妄想的重量就難受，有念佛的輕安就好受。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 27

Nov 27, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

(continued)

It’s difficult to be reborn there by practicing assorted virtues attained according to worldly circumstances: In order to be reborn in such a realm, one must fulfill the cause of rebirth in nirvana, and then gain access to it. Assorted virtues attained according to worldly circumstances are not aligned with the reward of nirvana. The so-called “assorted virtues attained according to worldly circumstances” refer to those various kinds of practices that performed in accordance with one’s karmic circumstance, or one’s preference. If we dedicate those assorted virtues for rebirth, there is no way for us to enter the unconditioned reward land of nirvana, which is Amitabha Buddha’s reward land.

The Tathagata selects the key method: So, Shakyamuni Buddha and Amitabha Buddha screen and select the one and only one cause of entering the realm of unconditioned nirvana for us–reciting Amitabha’s name. Moreover, reciting Amitabha’s name is the proper cause of rebirth. Apart from this, there is no second cause. It is unique. Hence, it is called “two-fold exclusivity”.

「隨緣雜善恐難生」，要往生到這樣一個境界，必須是符應涅槃的「因」才能進入，隨緣雜善與涅槃的果是不相符應的。所謂「隨緣雜善」就是指眾生隨著每個人自己所接觸到的，或是所喜好的，而去修的種種萬行。如果以這些來作為迴向，是沒有辦法進入阿彌陀佛無為涅槃的報土的。

「故使如來選要法」，因此阿彌陀佛、釋迦如來為我們篩選進入無為涅槃的唯一因──念彌陀名號。而且唯有念彌陀名號是往生的正因，此外沒有第二個正因，是獨一無二的，所以說「專復專」。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 26

Nov 26, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

Master Shandao says in “In Praise of Dharma Practices”

The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned nirvana;

It’s hard to be reborn there by practicing assorted virtues according to circumstances. The Tathagata selects the key method –

He teaches us to recite Amitabha’s name with two-fold exclusivity.

The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned nirvana, in which relative concepts like  “senior” and “junior”, “high” and “low”, levels, or classes do not exist; neither the ideas of you-and-me, one and the other, beloved and enemies, being good and bad. All kinds of delusion in view and afflictions, worldly obstruction and ignorance are cut away. All illusory phenomena are like stage performance, cannot hinder and interfere [in this realm] forever. Hence, it is called “unconditioned nirvana”.

The nirvana there is the unsurpassed one, and it is also the realm of reward land of Amitabha, a reward Buddha.

(continued tomorrow)

善導大師在《法事讚》說：「極樂無為涅槃界， 隨緣雜善恐難生，故使如來選要法，教念彌陀專復專」。「極樂無為涅槃界」，無為涅槃是沒有上下、高低、品位、階級，也沒有你我、彼此、冤親、好壞的對待；煩惱、見思二惑、塵沙無明統統斷盡，離諸戲論，永無障礙，所以叫作無為涅槃。這裡的涅槃是指無上涅槃的意思，同時也是阿彌陀佛的報佛、報土的境界。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 25

Nov 25, 2017
慧淨上人法語
正依經典

(continued)
Among the sutras, there are principal sutras that each Buddhist sect and school bases on. The principal sutras of Pure Land Buddhism are sutras about rebirth. Within the 84,000 teachings expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha, there are around 200 sutras mentioned about the Land of Bliss and Amitabha Buddha.

So to speak, Shakyamuni Buddha always reminds sentient beings, especially at the end of his life, that they must recite Amitabha’s name so as to attain rebirth in the Land of Bliss. Among all the sutras, there are only three, i.e. the Three Pure Land Sutras, focus only on the Land of Bliss and expound the compassion and greatness of Amitabha Buddha from start to finish. So, the Three Pure Land Sutras are the sutras on rebirth that we follow.

而經典之中，各宗各派，都有它正依的經典，而我們淨土法門所正依的經典，就是「往生經」。在釋迦牟尼佛所說的八萬四千法門當中，談到極樂淨土、阿彌陀佛的經典，有二百部左右。

可以說釋迦牟尼佛最後時時處處，都在提示眾生，要眾生念佛往生極樂世界。但是，在那麼多的經典當中，純粹從頭到尾都是在解釋極樂世界、闡揚阿彌陀佛的慈悲偉大的經典，就只有這淨土三經，所以這淨土三經，就是我們的往生經。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 24

Nov 24, 2017
慧淨上人法語
正依經典

The most fundamental practice of all sects and schools of Buddhism must be based on the sutras. Similarly, adoption of a practice for rebirth in the Land of Bliss, which is very important, must also be based on a solid ground, and cannot be any arbitrary act without a base. The adopted practice must be based on the trustworthy words of a sage, i.e. what the Buddha says. If we do not follow the Buddha’s words, the result will like what this saying describes, “if one word is deviated from the sutras, it is equivalent to the demon’s words”.

(continued tomorrow)

各宗各派最根本的修行方法都必須要依據經典，同樣的，往生極樂世界是非常重要的，所以方法的認定一定要有所根據，不可以漫無標準沒有根據，而所根據的必須是聖言量──也就是佛所說，如果不依佛所說，所謂「離經一字，便同魔說」。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 23

Nov 23, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土信仰

While reciting Amitabha’s name, prostrating Amitabha’s image, and observing images of the Land of Bliss, do think that I have already accomplished rebirth there.

若稱佛名、拜佛像、觀極樂圖，應思我往生早已成就。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 22

Nov 22, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風俗諦

At what level should we be obedient and reverent to Amitabha? It should be up to the level of “Namo”.  “Namo” means “taking refuge”.  We entrust our precious life to Amitabha, render it to Amitabha, and wholly believe in and follow Amitabha’s deliverance. We entrust all to Amitabha.

對彌陀的恭敬信順是到達什麼地步呢？到達了「南無」的地步，南無就是「歸命」，把我們最寶貴的身心性命付託給彌陀、交代給彌陀，完全信順彌陀救度，統統託付在彌陀的身上。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 21

Nov 21, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風真諦

There is a saying, “practice begins with understanding; once commenced, understanding is no longer necessary”. For instance, before you set out on a journey, you start with reading the map and the driver’s manual. Once your car is on the road, you don’t need to steer the wheel with one hand while holding the map with the other; you just drive the car along your planned route right the way.  That is the meaning of the saying. Buddhism emphasizes on faith and practice, not knowledge and theory or simply academic studies. Here come the dicta “observe the mind with the aid of the teachings” and “practice according to the teachings”. Studying Buddhism without the faith and practice is a kind of academic discussion or study. That is a branch of philosophy and not religion.

有句話說：「行由解起，行起解絕。」好比走一條路，在還沒有走之前，先了解地圖、說明書；一旦車子上路了，不必右手抓方向盤，左手又拿地圖，就直接開車上路，這個就是「行由解起，行起解絕」。因為佛教重在信仰和實踐，而不在於作學問、講理論，或單單只是研究學術而已。所謂「藉教觀心」、「依教奉行」，如果研究佛學而不藉教觀心、依教奉行，等於是一種學術性的討論或研究，則只是一門哲學而已，不能稱之為宗教。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 20

Master Huijing’s Dharma Words about Benefits in Amitabha-recitation

Nov 20, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

It doesn’t matter whether a person has a faith or not—whether he believes in Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, Yiguangdao [a Chinese folk religious sect] or other folk believes, or even he slanders Buddhism with no religious affiliation at all. As long as he recites Amitabha’s name, his body will emit light.

It doesn’t matter whether he recites sincerely, or recite while singing songs of a Taiwanese folk opera, or recite casually, or recite in the middle of an angry remark, “Oh, you guy is really ‘Amitabha Buddha’!”, his body will emits light too. It is because emission of light during name recitation is an innate feature; it just happens naturally. It doesn’t require any intentional act, and also cannot be prevented from happening.

不管這個人是否有信仰？也不管他信仰的是佛教、天主教或者基督教、一貫道、民間的信仰，甚至是毀謗佛教、心中全無信仰，但他只要念佛，身上就會放光。

不管他是虔誠念佛或者邊唱歌仔戲念佛，或者無意中念佛，或者生氣的說：「啊！你這個人真是阿彌陀佛哦！」照樣在他的身上也會放光。因為「念佛放光」是天性之自然，自自然然，不需經過任何的造作，也不可能被阻礙的。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 19

Nov 19, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

If we are earnest in cessation of reincarnation and serious in renunciation and aspiration, we will spare time away from busy work and take a quiet time from the jungle of noise for recollection of the Buddha and recitation of the Buddha’s name. It is just like worrying about an urgent matter in our mind, we will not forget about it in any given circumstances.

生死心切，欣厭情深，自能忙裏偷閒、鬧中取靜，憶佛念佛，念念不捨，猶如切事繫心，動靜不忘。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 18

Nov 18, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

Master Shandao says, “The practice of invocation of Amitabha’s name single-heartedly and continuously without forsaking it for a second—whether walking, standing, sitting, or reclining, or whether for a long or short period of time—is called "the principal karma of assurance, as it accords with Amitabha Buddha’s vow.” “Continuous invocation without forsaking it for a second” means exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s name.

Recite the Name as soon as we wake up in the morning, and then recite continuously without forsaking for the rest of day in the form of walking-recitation, prostration-recitation, or sitting-recitation. Regardless of location, time and circumstance, we can recite vocally, or voicelessly. This is known as “continuous invocation without forsaking it for a second”.

Master Shandao told us that recitation in this manner is called "the principal karma of assurance". A hundred out of a hundred [who practice in this way] attain rebirth, a thousand out of a thousand attain rebirth, and ten thousands out of ten thousands attain rebirth. The saying that “ten thousands can go if there are ten-thousand people practice it” is true. Why? Because “it accords with Amitabha Buddha’s vow”.

It is because Amitabha-recitation itself means relying on Amitabha’s vow power. With Amitabha’s vow power, we are 100% assured of rebirth in the Land of Bliss.

善導大師說：「一心專念彌陀名號，行住坐臥，不問時節久近，念念不捨者，是名正定之業，順彼佛願故。」「念念不捨」就是專稱彌陀佛名。

早上起來就先念佛，其他的時間也都是念念不捨，或者經行念佛，或者拜佛念佛，或者打坐念佛；不論在什麼地方、在什麼時候、做什麼事情，都可以出聲念佛，也可以金剛念，這個叫「念念不捨」。

善導大師說，這樣的念念不捨，叫「正定之業」，一百個一百個往生，一千個一千個往生，一萬個一萬個往生，真正「萬修萬人去」。為什麼？「順彼佛願故」。

因為念佛的本身，就是在依靠阿彌佛的願力。有阿彌陀佛的願力，我們就百分之百、必定能夠往生極樂世界。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 17

Nov 17, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

One who believes in [Amitabha] Buddha’s deliverance must be in great peace and great contentment. He is the foremost in blessed fortune in the world.

信佛救度之人，大安心大滿足，是世上第一幸福者。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 16

Nov 16, 2017
慧淨上人法語
正依經典

Following the lineage of Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tanluan, Daochuo in the Pure Land teaching, Master Shandao wrote a magnificent work called the ‘Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra’ about the principles of Pure Land Buddhism, based on the Buddhist sutras [spoken by the Buddha], the classification of teaching and lineage in transmission [by patriarchs]. All necessary structures in systems and organization are readily completed, so the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra is regarded to be a book for the inauguration of Pure Land Sect.

善導大師傳承龍樹、天親、曇鸞、道綽的淨土思想，寫下一部曠古宏偉的著作——《觀經四帖疏》，有關淨土教理所依據的經典、判教、傳承，一個宗派所應有的組織架構都已具備，所以《觀經四帖疏》可以說是淨土宗開宗立教的論著。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 15

Nov 15, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土信仰

The Pure Land teaching stresses on “exclusivity” – exclusive practice, and “uniqueness”– just one, no other. Among all buddhas in the ten directions, Amitabha Buddha is the only king, just him and no other. The light of Amitabha Buddha is the best and the foremost in nobility that none of other buddha’s can compare with. “The best” and “foremost” means “unique”.

Pure Land Buddhism is unique, the one and only one. Our fundamental buddha is Amitabha Buddha. The figure that we worship is also Amitabha Buddha. What we recite is the name “Namo Amituofo” only. What we believe and accept is merely Amitabha Buddha’s deliverance. Everything and everything are directed back to Amitabha Buddha. Everything and everything are firmly rooted in Amitabha Buddha.

淨土法門講專——專修，講唯一——獨一無二。十方諸佛獨有阿彌陀佛是王，獨一無二。阿彌陀佛「光明最尊第一，諸佛光明所不能及」，「最」、「第一」，就是獨一。

淨土法門是獨一的法門、無二的法門。我們的本尊是阿彌陀佛，我們所拜的對象也是阿彌陀佛，我們所稱念的，也唯有「南無阿彌陀佛」這句名號，我們所信受的，也只有阿彌陀佛的救度，一切的一切都歸向阿彌陀佛，一切的一切也都以阿彌陀佛為根本。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 14

Nov 14, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風俗諦

If a person really accepts the dharma of Pure Land Buddhism, he will certainly believe that he is an iniquitous ordinary being. Once realizing oneself as an iniquitous ordinary being, a person will become humble and amiable and not allow self-pride or arrogance to prevail. The temperament will subsequently change. According to the teachings of the Pure Land School, the ultimate truths can appreciate and experience from the worldly truths, while the experience of the worldly truths will gain access to the ultimate truths. The two complement each other.

如果真的相應於淨土法門，一定會相信自己是一個罪惡生死凡夫，一個真正體會到罪惡生死凡夫的人，一定會謙卑柔軟，貢高我慢不起來，也傲慢計較不起來，這樣性情就會轉變。所以我們這個法門，即使是真諦也能體會俗諦，體會俗諦就能進入真諦，是相輔相成的。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 13

Nov 13, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風真諦

If we can take Amitabha recitation as our knowledge and wisdom, we will recite Amitabha’s name faithfully without contention. That is the meaning of “don’t pursue pure learning, do develop faith”. Eventually it leads to faith. Faith is his goal, his objective, what he looks for, and where he wants to reach. 

念佛就是我們的學問，就是我們的智慧。如果能夠這樣的話，就是無諍念佛、老實念佛，也就是「不純學術而信仰化」。到最後，歸入信仰，信仰才是他的目標、他的目的、他所盼望的，他要歸趣的地方。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 12

Nov 12, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

Those who always recite Amitabha’s name as a habit feel relaxed and settled. It is because if we don’t recite Amitabha’s name, we have afflictions and false thoughts in mind. There are ‘weights’ in affliction and false thoughts which exert pressure in our body and mind.

When we focus on Amitabha-recitation, not only miscellaneous and assorted thoughts recede, we feel freshen, and, at the same time, we are protected by Amitabha’s light that shines on us

常常念佛的人，念習慣了，身心會有輕安之感，因為我們不念佛一定念煩惱，不念佛一定念妄想，煩惱妄想有重量，會壓迫我們的身心。

念佛，不但沒有雜七雜八的念頭，很清爽，同時有阿彌陀佛的光明來照耀我們，保護我們。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 11 2017

Nov 11, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

The approach of our teaching is exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s name. So, when we recite Amitabha’s name, we just focus on name-recitation, and do not need to contemplate the Buddha’s image, the lotus flower, or the Buddha’s light, or to perceive the Buddha’s virtues.

If you, during Amitabha-recitation, catch sight of lotus flowers, or bright light, or buddhas and bodhsiattvas, let them alone, leave them, and don’t attach to any of them. Don’t think that “how splendid and rare it is, and I wish to see more and longer next time”. Don’t subscribe to such an idea. The more exclusive the better, the more simple and pure the better; otherwise, I am afraid (the practice) will go wrong.

我們這個法門是「專稱彌陀佛名」，所以念佛的時候，就只管念佛，不需要觀想佛像、觀想蓮花，或觀想佛光，或思惟佛德，都不需要。

在念佛當中，若看到蓮花，或看到光明，或看到佛菩薩，也一概不要管，要將它放下，不要執著，不要認為「這麼莊嚴、這麼難得，希望下次能夠看得更多、更久」，千萬不要有這種心念，越專一越好，越單純越好，否則恐怕會出差錯。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 10

Nov 10, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

We should recite Amitabha’s name with no doubt, no interruption, and no mixed practice. It is easy and we all can do it. Why? Because we all have a mouth and can speak. From now on, change the habit from gossiping to reciting ‘”Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo...”

Sentient beings have lots of thoughts and conceive many ideas. We can change the false thoughts of afflictions by reciting “Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo...” in our mind. By doing so, we shall have less false thoughts, and feel more relaxed and comfortable.

我們大家應該要「不懷疑的、不間斷的、不夾雜 的」來稱念彌陀的名號。這事很容易，大家都能做得到，為什麼呢？因為我們都有嘴巴會講話，現在改變本來講閒言閒語的話，來講「南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛……」。

眾生都有念頭，都會起心動念，我們把妄想煩惱的念頭，轉為心中念「南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛……」，這樣不但會漸漸沒有妄想雜念，而且會讓自己輕安。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 9

Nov 9, 2017
慧淨上人法語
信受彌陀救度

Being born as a human, having heard of the Buddhist teachings, and encountered with the unsurpassed great teaching of Amitabha’s deliverance, it is really a wholesome condition resulted from the karma of the past lives! Really the greatest blessed retribution! So, we should celebrate this joyful condition and cherish it. Also, share with others our belief.

生而為人，得聞佛法，又遇到彌陀救度的無上大法，真是宿世的善緣！真是最大的福報！所以我們應該要慶喜、珍惜，同時自信教人信。

Namo Amitabha

Nov 8

Nov 8, 2017
慧淨上人法語
正依經典

(continued)

The first in the lineage of the Pure Land teaching is Nagarjuna Bodhisattva. Nagarjuna Bodhisattva wrote a book entitled “The Discourse on the Ten Stages”, in which a chapter is on “the Easy Path”. This chapter mainly expounds on the 18th Vow of the Infinite Life Sutra – the pro-active, equal, and unconditional deliverance of Amitabha Buddha.

Next in the lineage is Vasubandhu Bodhisattva, who succeeded the thought of Nagarjuna Bodhisattva and wrote the book “The Treatise of Rebirth”. Based on Nagarjuna’s concepts, he expands and discusses the objectives of the three Pure Land sutras.

Both Nagarjuna Bodhisattva and Vasubandhu Bodhisattva are Indians, bodhisattvas in India. In China, the one who continued this lineage were Master Tanluan in the Northern and Southern dynasties (420-589 AD), Master Daochuo in the Sui Dynasty (581-619 AD), and Master Shandao in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The one who compiled all the teachings of all patriarchs is Master Shandao in Tang Dynasty.

These are the three patriarchs in China who succeeded the thought of Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu, and expounded on the important meanings of the three Pure Land sutras.

傳承淨土法門最有名的祖師，第一位就是龍樹菩薩。龍樹菩薩寫了一部《十住毗婆沙論》，裏面有一章叫做《易行品》。《易行品》的目的在於宣說《無量壽經》的第十八願——阿彌陀佛主動、平等、無條件的救度。

接下來是天親菩薩，天親菩薩繼承龍樹菩薩的思想，寫了一部《往生論》，是以龍樹菩薩的思想為基礎，來看淨土三部經的宗旨，而加以發揮。

龍樹菩薩跟天親菩薩都是印度人，印度的菩薩；那麼，在我們中國，傳承這一思想的祖師，就是南北朝時代的曇鸞祖師，以及隋朝時代的道綽大師，集其大成者，就是唐朝的善導大師。我們中國有這三位祖師繼承龍樹、天親的思想，發揮淨土三部經的要義。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 7

Nov 7, 2017
慧淨上人法語
正依經典

The teachings of the three Pure Land sutras are not different from each other; they are the same and in consistence—all talking about the teaching of deliverance, not the teaching of cultivation. The target of deliverance is each of us present here, and each of sentient beings with deep and heavy afflictions.

If the afflicted sentient beings with heavy karmic offenses do not rely on Amitabha’s vows of deliverance, they cannot escape from reincarnations of the Three Domains and the Six Realms, not to mention achieve Buddhahood and deliver sentient beings!

The three Pure Land sutras are words of Shakyamuni Buddha. The passing-on of the Pure Land teachings and its elaborations were accomplished by the patriarchs.

(continued tomorrow)

淨土三部經的教理，並不是各別不同，而是相同的、一致的，都是在講救度的法門，不是在講修行的法門。救度的對象就是我們現前每一位凡夫，每一位煩惱深重的眾生。
罪業深重的煩惱凡夫，如果不依靠彌陀願力的救度，就不能出三界六道輪迴，更何況成佛度眾生呢！
淨土三部經是釋迦牟尼佛所說的，淨土宗義理的傳承、發揮，是由祖師完成的。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 6

Nov 6, 2017
Master Huijing’s Dharma Words about the Faith in Pure Land
淨土信仰

All sacred teachings in this era are footnote of the six-character [great name]. The six-character name covers all stored teachings. Those who thoroughly understand all teachings of all sects cannot be reborn if they do not take refuge to Amitabha. Those who are slow-witted can expediently realize the Bodhi (be enlightened) if they recite the name.

一代聖教皆是六字註腳，六字名號含蓋一代藏教。通宗通教之士，不歸彌陀，不得往生；愚夫愚婦之輩，但稱名號，速證涅槃。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 5

Nov 5, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風俗諦

Ancient worthies say, “being absent for a while, just like a dead body.” So, without the spiritual nourishment of Buddhist Dharma, a person is no longer a human being. As a seeker on the Buddhist path, we have to continuously absorb nutrition of the Buddhist dharma, otherwise we are not qualified. How can we absorb nutrition of the Buddhist dharma then? Our spiritual foods have to rely on the truth and words derived from the Buddha’s wisdom.  We therefore have to recite daily the insightful words of the Buddha.  So, contents of the Attributes II – the Worldly Truths (governing everyday life) have to be memorized and contemplated one time every morning, taking the words of the Buddha and the sages as our life and the standards for our daily behaviour.

古德言：「一時不在，如同死人」，可以說，沒有佛法的精神滋養，就不是一個人了。我們學佛的人，如果沒有持續不斷地吸取佛法的營養，那就不算是一個學佛的人了。
要如何吸取佛法的營養呢？我們精神的食糧，必需要靠佛陀智慧的真理語言，因此每一天就要背誦佛陀智慧的語言，所以「宗風二──俗諦．處事之道」的內容應該背起來，而且一天的開始，就要思惟一遍，將佛陀的語言、古聖先賢的語言，作為我們的生命，作為我們一天為人處事應對的準則。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 4

Nov 4, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風真諦
(continued)

Master Honen therefore says: schools of the Sacred Path focus their practice on development of knowledge and discernment for realization of truth and entering nivana, while the practice of Pure Land school focuses on returning ignorance for rebirth in the Land of Bliss. “Returning ignorance” means not displaying our talents, wisdom, or good deeds in this school of teaching, and treat ourselves as idiots who can practice nothing and know nothing except “Namo Amitabha”. What we can do is, just like old folks, to recite, “Namo Amitabha, Namo Amitabha…” Enlightenment by meditation is a practice of the Sacred Path. For us, we closely follow the teachings of our founder. If we overestimate our ability and act according to our “smart” way, we will quite likely deviate from the right path.

因此法然上人說：聖道門的修行是以智慧證悟涅槃，而淨土門的修行，則是還愚癡往生極樂。「還愚癡」，就是不將自己的才華、智慧、賢能表現在這個法門，要把自己當成愚癡的人，什麼法都不會修，什麼事情都不知道，我只知道這句「南無阿彌陀佛」，只會跟老公公、老太婆一樣念南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛……。參禪悟道是聖道門的修行，至於我們這個法門，每一步都要依照祖師所講的去做，若自作聰明可能就會產生偏失。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 3

Nov 3, 2017
慧淨上人法語
淨土宗宗風真諦

The Tenets say, “Don’t seek special experiences, do value what is commonplace. Don’t esteem the mystical and fantastic, do cherish the plain and solid. Don’t revere profundities, do appreciate what is ordinary”. From now to achievement of buddhahood, this approach is very simple, very easy, very pure, and not complicated. Everyone can make it. If you go after complexity and extraordinary, you will lose the benefits of this teaching.

We hence treat ourselves as idiots, forget about our own wisdom or talents, and consider ourselves as less talented and being incapable to do anything. Even you have the skills of all trades, put them aside and in idle because of the existence of this mantra: “Namo Amitabha”. All the good deeds we have done, or the practices we have made are too trivial and insignificant. All of us have to rely on the mantra “Namo Amitabha”.

(continued tomorrow)

宗風說：「不尚體驗而平凡化，不好玄奇而平實化，不求高深而平常化。」這個法門從現在到成佛，很簡單、很容易、很單純、很不複雜，是大家都做得到的；若是追求複雜、不平凡，這樣會失去這個法門的利益。

所以我們就把自己當成愚癡的人，就算有智慧、根器高，也要降下看成根器低，什麼都不會，縱然有十八般武藝，也要置於無用武之地。因為有這句南無阿彌陀佛，我們所做的善事、所修的行，就微不足道，不堪一提，通通靠這句南無阿彌陀佛。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 2

Nov 2, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛利益

If convenient, place a recording device at home to play the sound of “Namo Amituofo” from time to time, so that kids will hear Amitabha’s name and be perfumed (or influenced). Good and evil are 100% related to karma of the past. If the kid has more favorable causal conditions cultivated in the past with good roots of virtues and blessings, the parents have nothing to worry about.

However, in case the kid had heavy bad karma in his past life, let him hear or even better let him recite Amitabha’s name will eradicate his karmic offenses in advance. Hence, relatively speaking, he will not become an evil person in the future, and will attain more good virtuous blessings. Of course, while encouraging their kids to recite Amitabha’s name, the parents should also frequently recite Amitabha’s name.

If the kids can read, bring them some Buddhist storybooks as they generally love comics, and will follow the moral lessons of the stories. Having read these books, their stubborn and disobedient characters may change gradually, and they will become kindhearted and honest due to the influence of the Buddhist teachings.

如果方便，可以在家裏放一台「南無阿彌陀佛」 的念佛機，常常播放佛號，讓孩子多聽聞薰習。因為善、惡跟每個人過去的業有百分之百的關係，如果這個孩子過去種的善根福德因緣比較多，當然不用父母操心；萬一孩子過去世的業比較重，如果能夠念佛號給他聽──最好讓他自己念佛，預先消除自己的業障，那麼將來孩子就比較不會變壞，也比較具足福德因緣。當然，要讓孩子多念佛，父母本身也要多念佛。

如果孩子已經識字，可以請佛教童話故事書給他看，因為孩子通常比較喜歡看漫畫，可塑性也比較高，看了這些書之後，頑劣的根性會漸漸導正過來，心也會因佛法的薰習而純厚善良。

Namo Amitabha!

Nov 1 2017

Nov 1, 2017
慧淨上人法語
念佛方法

An Amitabha-reciter should recite Amitabha’s name in the course of fulfilling his duties and responsibilities [in his daily life]. Fulfilling his duties and responsibilities does not violate the practice of name-recitation. Practicing name-recitation does not violate the fulfillment of his duties and responsibilities.

In this era of moral degeneration, our practice of the worldly ethics and morality can benefit others, purify the society, and also purify our body and mind. So, it is completely not in conflict with the practice of Amitabha-recitation.

念佛人應在履行責任義務當中念佛。履行責任義務不違背稱名念佛，稱名念佛也不違背履行責任義務。

何況現在是所謂人心不古、世風日下的時代，我們實踐人世間的倫理道德，不但可以淑世利人、淨化社會，也能淨化我們的身心，所以它本身跟念佛來講是完全不不衝突的。

Namo Amitabha!