July 21, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Contemplation Sutra
《佛說觀無量壽經》
(continued)
It is also the mentality of people in general that the merits and virtues of meditative practices are considered the most splendid. Next are those of non-meditative practices. Amitabha-recitation is merely reciting by mouth, which is considered inferior.
With great compassion and great wisdom, Shakyamuni Buddha followed Vaidehi’s wish for him to speak of the thirteen kinds of contemplations first. Then he speaks, at his discretion, of the non-meditative virtues of the Three Meritorious Deeds.
Finally, at the lowest level, when all meditative and non-meditative virtues cannot save the practitioner, the Buddha reveals the splendor and absoluteness of Amitabha-recitation. In this way Shakyamuni guides all practitioners of the meditative and non-meditative virtues to finally return to the teaching of Amitabha-recitation.
這也是一般人的心理狀態,認為定善功德最殊勝,散善次之,念佛只不過是口中稱念而已,是最劣的。
釋迦牟尼佛大慈大悲、大智大慧,就順著韋提希夫人的意思,先講十三種定觀,入定觀想,然後釋迦牟尼佛自己開說三福的散善,最後在下品下生,一切定善散善都救不了的時候,獨獨顯明念佛的超勝與絕對,來引導一切定善與散善的修行人都歸到念佛的法門。
Namo Amituofo!
