Sep 4, 2018
Master Huijing’s Dharma Words about the Infinite Life Sutra Spoken by the Buddha
《佛說無量壽經》
(continued)
These five texts in the Infinite Life Sutra serve as the five columns supporting the entire teaching of the Infinite Life Sutra. Among them, the most fundamental and the most important core teaching is the 18th Vow. Should the 18th Vow does not exist, there will have no Land of Bliss, no Amitabha Buddha, and no deliverance and rebirth for us. In the nutshell, the five texts are elaborations of the 18th Vow.
Although we may not understand the rationale of these five passages thoroughly, we do know the main theme of the Sutra if we can grasp the meanings of the 18th Vow. The reason is that there is only one purpose for the Buddha – rebirth through Amitabha-recitation as stated in the 18th Vow.
這五段經文，在《無量壽經》裏面，就好像五根柱子一樣，支撐著整部《無量壽經》的教理。其中最根本、最重要的核心，就是第十八願。如果沒有第十八願，就沒有《無量壽經》，也沒有極樂世界、沒有阿彌陀佛、沒有我們的往生得度。所以，開展出來是五段文，約略來講，就是第十八願。
這五段文的道理，我們雖然不盡瞭解，可是，只要掌握第十八願，所有的經意也就掌握住了。因為，佛的目的只有一個——就是第十八願念佛往生。
Namo Amituofo!
