July 11, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Contemplation Sutra
《佛說觀無量壽經》
(continued)
Flipping the Contemplation Sutra over and over again solely leads people of different aptitudes to one single practice , the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name. It declares that the 18th Vow is the king and fundamental vow out of Amitabha’s 48 vows. It explains the meaning of “even ten times” stipulated in the 18th Vow.
It also matches a saying in the Chapter of Profound Meaning: “All good and evil ordinary beings will not attain rebirth [in the Pure Land] without recourse to the karmic power of Amitabha’s Great Vow as the augmentative cause. It explains how all good and evil ordinary beings can entrust themselves. “Always exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name.”
With this text, Master Shandao indicates that the purpose of the Contemplation Sutra is to lead people of different aptitudes to converging in the 18th Vow. (like all stars accompanying the North Dipper, or all rivers flowing towards the great ocean)If we follow the practice of “always exclusively reciting Amitabha’s Name”, we are assured of reaching the unconditioned land of nirvana.
《觀經》一部的千開萬闔，在於引導群機進入「一向專稱」的一行。此「一向專稱」的宣示，即是《大經》阿彌陀佛四十八願之中本願王──第十八願之「乃至十念」的解釋。
亦是〈玄義分〉所言：「一切善惡凡夫得生者，莫不皆乘阿彌陀佛大願業力為增上緣」的內容，亦即一切善惡凡夫如何乘託？「一向專稱」即是乘託。
善導大師以此文顯示《觀經》一部之目的在於導歸定散諸機進入第十八願。猶如群星拱北斗，萬流歸大海；若依一向專稱之行，必至無為涅槃之土。
Namo Amituofo!l
