Dec 22, 2019
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Contemplation Sutra
《佛說觀無量壽經》
Why is Amitabha-recitation explained in the passage on rebirth for those in the low tier, and not for those in high tier? It is because those in the low tier are extremely evil. They cannot be delivered by the merits and virtues of practicing filial love to parents and mundane kindness and compassion (like those at the lowest level in the middle tier.) They cannot be delivered by the merit and virtues of practicing the Eight and Fasting Precepts, Sramanera Precepts, and Bhikshu Precepts for one day and one night, (like those at the middle level in the middle tier). They cannot be delivered by the merit and virtues of practicing the Bhikshu Precepts for their whole lives. (like those at the highest level in middle tier.)
They cannot be delivered by the merit and virtues of setting forth the Bodhi Mind, (like those at the lowest level in high tier). They cannot be delivered by the merit and virtues of understanding the Foremost Truth,( like those at the middle level in the high tier.) They cannot be delivered by the merit and virtues of reciting and practicing the sutras,( like those at the highest level in the high tier). Only the merit and virtues that transcend those in the high tier and middle tier can deliver extremely evil sentient beings, This is why it is necessary to speak of the merit and virtues of Amitabha-recitation in the low tier.
There is no other way that can deliver the extremely evil person, except Amitabha-recitation. This indicates that the teaching of Amitabha-recitation is easy-to-practice; but, splendid in rewards. It is the foremost, the unsurpassed, the noblest, and most respected. Thus, no other teaching is comparable.
為什麼念佛是在下品生說明,而不是在上品生說明呢?因為下品生是極惡的人,不是中品下生孝養父母、行世仁慈的功德能夠救度,也不是中品中生一日一夜的持八戒齋、沙彌戒、具足戒的功德能夠救度,也不是中品上生的盡形壽具足眾戒的功德能夠救度。
更不是上品下生的發菩提心的功德能夠救度,也不是上品中生的解第一諦的功德能夠救度,也不是上品上生讀誦妙行的功德能夠救度,唯有超越上品生、中品生功德的念佛能夠救度極惡的眾生,因此才在極惡的地方說明念佛的功德。
極惡之人,無他法能救,唯稱名念佛一法能救,顯示「稱名念佛」一法,易行功高,至高無上,最尊第一,無其他任何法能與之相比。
Namo Amituofo!
