Jan 9, 2020
Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Contemplation Sutra
《佛說觀無量壽經》
The passage on the highest level in the low tier, lets us know rebirth is assured by each recitation of Amitabha’s Name. The passage on the middle level in the low tier, lets us know the reason for the above stems from Amitabha’s Name.
However, if there weren’t any further elaboration in the passage on the lowest level in the low tier, people might misunderstand and believe that it’s fine to recite Amitabha’s Name only once.
In the passage on the lowest level in the low tier, it says “to recite continuously.” Because of this we know we should recite Amitabha’s Name continuously, as long as we live. Simply speaking, we believe rebirth can be attained through one recitation.
Never the less, we practice as many recitations as possible for the remainder of our lives, as said by Master Honen.
下品上生讓我們知道一聲稱名決定往生,下品中生讓我們知道之所以一聲稱名決定往生在於名號本身的功德,但如果沒有下品下生,或許有人誤解,以為就念一聲就好了,而有了下品下生「令聲不絕」就知道是盡形壽一生相續的念佛。簡而言之,就如法然上人所說:「信取一念往生,行勤一生多念」。
Namo Amituofo!
