Jan 17

Jan 17, 2018
慧淨上人法語
淨土信仰
(continued)

Where can we get the necessary credential, merits and virtues required for our migration from the Land of Saha to the Land of Bliss? It also comes from Namo Amituofo, the name with a myriad of virtues. As long as we exclusively recite it with singleness of mind, we are assured of rebirth in the Land of Bliss. So, Amitabha’s name is the credential of our rebirth, and the unsurpassed and worthy merits and virtues for rebirth.

The Larger Sutra says, “If the person invoke the Buddha with joy and excitement, even just one thought, he should have acquired the great benefit, and attained sufficient, unsurpassed merits and virtues. We should know this.”

After rebirth in the Land of Bliss, one can expedite in achieving Buddhahood. Where does he obtain the merits and virtues? It also comes from Namo Amituofo, the name with a myriad of virtues. With the purpose of helping us to break away from suffering and attain happiness, and transcend from ordinary to sagely being, Amitabha Buddha has accomplished the 48 vows in five kalpas, and accumulated immeasurable merits and virtues for us in countless eons.  With the blessing of the Buddha, our rebirth is assured and we can also expedite the process to attain Buddhahood.

我們從娑婆到極樂世界，資糧功德在哪裡？同樣在這句萬德洪名的南無阿彌陀佛。只要我們專一稱念，就必定往生極樂，彌陀名號是我們往生的資糧，往生的大利無上功德。
《大經》說：「歡喜踴躍，乃至一念，當知此人，為得大利，則是具足，無上功德。」

往生極樂之後，快速成就佛果，功德在哪裡？也在這一句萬德洪名的南無阿彌陀佛，因為阿彌陀佛是為了成就我們離苦得樂、超凡入聖，而五劫思惟四十八大願，兆載永劫積植菩薩無量德行的，成就我們的必定往生、快速成佛。

Namo Amitabha!