Dec 22

Dec 22, 2017
慧淨上人法語
專稱彌陀佛名

Why does Amitabha Buddha specify name-recitation [as the practice], and not other practices in his Fundamental Vow? Master Honen had a precise and concise explanation in Chapter 3 “The Fundamental Vow” of his book The Collection of Selection.

For the embrace and deliverance of all sentient beings based on equality and compassion, Bhiksu Dharmakara, the former body of Amitabha Buddha, did not consider any other practice, but merely name-recitation in his Fundamental Vow.

It is because of “equality and compassion”, as well as “embrace and deliverance to all”. So, irrespective of one’s status as a householder or monastic, a member of the elite or the illiterate, a man or woman, the elderly or the youth, the rich or the poor, the superior or the inferior, all can be equally reborn in the reward land and enjoy the same immeasurable life and light, if they always exclusively recite Amitabha’s name.

何以阿彌陀佛以稱名為本願，不以其他諸行為本願？此法然上人於其《選擇集》之第三「本願章」有很簡要的解說：
彌陀如來法藏比丘之昔，被催平等慈悲，為普攝於一切，不以諸行為往生本願，唯以稱名念佛一行為其本願也。

「平等慈悲」故，「普攝一切」故。不論緇素賢愚、善惡淨穢、男女老少、貧富貴賤；亦即不論何人，只要「一向專稱彌陀佛名」，皆得平等往生報土，同證無量光壽
。
Namo Amitabha!