Nov 14, 2018
Master Huijing’s Short Teachings about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》
In learning about Amitabha’s particular vows, we usually refer to the 48 vows according to the Infinite Life Sutra. However, there are five different versions in translating the same sutra, as well as the Sanskrit and Tibetan versions. The number of vows may also vary, possibly 24, 36, 48 or 49 in different versions.
Nevertheless, referring to different versions in translation, the number of particular vows is not the same, due to “expansion” and “consolidation.” It means it can be expanded to 48 vows or consolidated to 24 vows. Usually, the 48 vows stated in the Infinite Life Sutra is the most appropriate and proper one.
(continued)
阿彌陀佛之別願（本願），一般是依據《無量壽經》所說之「四十八願」為別願，然而從現存的五種同本異譯，並梵文本、藏文本來看，未必同一數量，如 下面所列，其數各異，如二十四願，三十六願，四十八願，四十九願。
如此，從《無量壽經》的異譯異本來看，本願的數量未必相同，就此古來謂之 「開合具略」之異，開即四十八願，合即二十四願。而以《無量壽經》所說四十八願最為允正。
Namo Amituofo!
