Sep 27, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Contemplation Sutra
《佛說觀無量壽經》
In the Contemplation Sutra, though it talks at length about the thirteen meditative contemplations, and the non-meditative virtues of the Three Meritorious Deeds in nine levels, it is just a guidance. The eventual aim is to urge us to hold Amitabha’s name.
So, at the end of the Sutra Shakyamuni Buddha tells Ananda: “Bear these words wellin mind. To bear these words in mind means to hold fast to the Name of the Buddha Amitayus."
Singly and exclusively, not mixed, holding the Name of the Buddha Amitayus. “ To bear these words in mind means to hold fast to the Name of the Buddha Amitayus”.
It does not instruct us to contemplate the marks of Buddha Amitayus. So, the conclusion of the Contemplation Sutra is holding the Name, which is exactly the same objective as the Infinite Life Sutra.
《觀無量壽經》雖然前面很長的經文都在講十三定觀以及三福九品,可是這也是一種引導性的,目的還是要我們持名念佛。
所以,經文最後就講:「佛告阿難,汝好持是語,持是語者,即是持無量壽佛名。」
專一的、不雜的、不退的來「持無量壽佛名」,叫做「汝好持是語,持是語者,即是持無量壽佛名」,並不是「觀無量壽佛相」的觀想,所以《觀無量壽經》的歸宗結頂也是在講「持名」,跟《無量壽經》的意旨完全一致。
Namo Amituofo!
