Dec 16, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Contemplation Sutra
《佛說觀無量壽經》
(continued)
Among the passages in the Contemplation Sutra, though Amitabha-recitation is not mentioned in the high tier and in the middle tier, this doesn’t mean that Amitabha-recitation is not an appropriate practice for them. Why?
In the second fascicle of the Infinite Life Sutra, Amitabha-recitation is mentioned for rebirth for those in the high tier, rebirth for the middle tier, and rebirth for the low tier. The three tiers in the Great Sutra and the nine levels in the Contemplation Sutra are more or less the same in content. As Amitabha-recitation is mentioned in all three tiers in the Great Sutra, it is understood that Amitabha-recitation is appropriate for those in the high tier and middle tier in the Contemplation Sutra.
Thus, it is concluded that Amitabha-recitation is recommended for all nine levels.
雖然在《觀經》的經文上,「上品」、「中品」沒有談到念佛,但這並不表示上品、中品就沒有念佛。為什麼?
《無量壽經》下卷的上輩往生、中輩往生、下輩往生都有談到念佛,《大經》之上輩、中輩、下輩跟《觀經》九品之中的上品、中品內容是大同小異的,既然《大經》的上、中、下輩都有談到念佛,可見《觀經》的上品生、中品生也含有念佛的意義,才說「念佛之行廣通九品」。
Namo Amituofo!
