Feb 22, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》
(continued)
Practicing various merits and virtues is the basic routine in cultivation. However, they are called “mixed practices” if they are dedicated for rebirth from the point of view of Amitabha’s Pure Land teaching. If we can exclusively recite Amitabha’s name and exclusively rely on Amitabha’s deliverance, our practice of various merits and virtues is not regarded as “mixed practice”, This is because we don’t rely on these for rebirth; but, totally rely on the merits and virtues of Amitabha’s Name.
Amitabha’s 19th Vow is mainly to attract and guide those people who practice various merits and virtues. This is because not all people can directly enter the 18th Vow. So, Amitabha Buddha makes this vow, and tells them: As long as you dedicate all your merits and virtues for rebirth in the Land of Bliss, I guarantee I will lead a multitude of sages and appear before you, welcome and receive you, when your life
comes to the end.
First, the 19th Vow does not mention exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s name. Secondly, it does not mention “should not be born, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.”
修諸功德是佛教徒的基本行持，但就彌陀淨土法門來講，用諸功德作為迴向往生，叫做雜行；若能專憑彌陀名號，專憑彌陀救度，則諸功德無所謂雜行，因為不靠自己的諸功德往生，全靠彌陀的名號功德往生之故。
阿彌陀佛發這個第十九願，主要就是要接引修諸功德者的根機，因為不是每一個根機都能夠直接進入第十八願的，所以阿彌陀佛就跟他發這個願說：你只要把所修諸功德迴向往生極樂世界，我保證在你臨命終的時候，率領著大眾來到你的面前迎接你。這就是第十九願。
第十九願，第一，它不是專稱彌陀佛名；第二，它不是「若不生者，不取正覺」。
Namo Amituofo!
