Oct 1, 2018
Master Huijing’s Dharma Words about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》
So-called [Amitabha’s] Fundamental Vow is the 18th Vow of his 48 great vows. Moreover, there are two other texts related to the 18th Vow [in the Infinite Life Sutra]. Combining all three, it is called ‘the Three Important Texts of the Great Sutra.’ Those who learn this teaching should memorize these three texts by heart, then they can recite swiftly.
The first important text is the 18th Vow in 36 Chinese characters:
If, when I achieve Buddhahood, sentient beings of the ten directions who earnestly believe and rejoice, wish to be reborn in my land and recite my name, even ten times, should fail to be born there, may I not attain perfect enlightenment. Excepted are those who commit the five gravest transgressions or slander the correct Dharma.
The second important text is the fulfillment of 18th Vow in 36 Chinese characters:
All sentient beings who, having heard his Name, rejoice in faith, remember him even once and sincerely transfer the merit of virtuous practices to that land, aspiring to be born there, will attain immediate birth and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression. But excluded are those who have committed the five gravest offenses and abused the right Dharma."
This is the second important text. With respect to the words or its connotation, the 18th Vow and the fulfillment text of this vow are closely interrelated. The 18th Vow says – “should fail to be born there, may I not attain perfect enlightenment”, while the fulfillment text of the 18th Vow says – “will attain immediate birth and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression”.
“Will attain immediate birth and dwell in the Stage of Non-retrogression” reveals the characteristics of our school is assured rebirth in the present life, and non-retrogression in this lifetime. It also indicates that our teachings is the most ‘round’ and ‘sudden’ among all round and sudden teachings in Buddhism. As said by Master Ouyi, it is the foremost in expediency, unsurpassed in ultimate meaning, the most ‘round’ and ‘sudden’ among all round and sudden teachings.
(to be continued tomorrow)
所謂根本願，就是四十八大願中的第十八願。此外，還有解釋第十八願的二段經文，合稱「大經三要文」，學這個法門的人，對這三要文應該深記心中，而且要能夠朗朗上口。
第一個要文是第十八願，有三十六個字：
設我得佛，十方眾生，至心信樂，欲生我國，乃至十念；若不生者，不取正覺。唯除五逆，誹謗正法。
第二段文是第十八願成就文：
諸有眾生，聞其名號，信心歡喜，乃至一念，至心迴向，願生彼國，即得往生，住不退轉。唯除五逆，誹謗正法。
這是第二個要文。不論文字或者是內涵，成就文和第十八願都是兩兩相扣的。第十八願說「若不生者，不取正覺」，第十八願成就文說「即得往生，住不退轉」。
「即得往生，住不退轉」就顯示出我們這個法門是「平生業成，現生不退」。也顯示我們這個法門在圓頓教當中是最極圓頓的，就像藕益大師所講的，是「方便中第一方便，了義中無上了義，圓頓中最極圓頓」。
Namo Amitabha!
