Mar 11, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Infinite Life Sutra
《佛說無量壽經》
The 18th Vow is called the Vow of Rebirth through Amitabha-recitation. The 19th Vow is called the Vow of Practicing Various Merits and Virtues, or the Vow of Welcoming Near the End of Life. The 20th Vow is called the Vow of Wish-fulfillment in Three Lives.
We can understand the difference between these three vows through the literal meaning of the name of the vow. They capture different kinds of sentient beings who aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land. Only the 18th Vow can include all sentient beings in the ten directions – good and evil, wise and unwise, aged and young, man and woman. All can be reborn, and rebirth is equal. No one is excluded from Amitabha’s deliverance.
第十八願叫做「念佛往生願」，第十九願叫做「修諸功德願」或「臨終來迎 願」，第二十願叫做「三生果遂願」。
即使從文字，我們也能夠了解這三個願的差別與所攝受的眾生的範圍，只有第 十八願，才能夠救度十方眾生──不論是善人、惡人，賢者、愚者，老者、少者 ，男人、女人……，都能夠往生，而且是平等的往生，沒有一個人漏掉。
Namo Amituofo!
