Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Attributes of the Pure Land School: Worldly Truths
淨土宗宗風俗諦
The Buddha Dharma is like a mirror. We see our faces with a mirror, and we see our minds by hearing the Dharma. With our backs facing the mirror, we think we are benevolent and kind; but, this is a kind of arrogance that leads to looking down upon others. By facing the mirror, we know our evil karma is unfathomable, and we deeply feel our inability to free ourselves.
Though the evil within my mind is unfathomable, Amitabha’s power is boundless. This understanding prepares us for the two kinds of deep faith (in aptitude and in teaching). Although we learn them as separate ideas, the two are really one entity.
Through accepting our lack of aptitude, we feel regret. However, upon learning about Amitabha’s boundless compassion, we feel joy and gratefulness, and can’t help but recite Namo Amituofo, Namo Amituofo!
No matter how deep and heavy my karmic offenses, Amitabha Buddha’s merit and virtues can easily remove them. Through understanding these truths, our minds naturally become settled and we gently relax.
(to be continued tomorrow)
佛法如鏡,對鏡見容,聞法知心。背向法鏡,以為自己賢善,因而高己慢人;面向法鏡,便知其惡無底,深感無地自容。
然而我心之惡雖無底,彌陀之力亦無邊;信機信法,機法一體,慚愧、歡喜、感恩,「南無阿彌陀佛、南無阿彌陀佛」矣!
不論你我罪惡有多深,彌陀功德便有多大,若如是知,安心開朗,油然而生。
Namo Amituofo!
