Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings - Encouraging the Practice of Amitabha-Recitation
念佛警策
Generally speaking, a Buddhist beginner will not easily accept the pristine Pure Land teaching, because he thinks the Buddhist teachings must be vast and profound. He feels that he must learn more extensively in order to be a true Buddhist; however, when he realizes how limited his abilities are, and he knows what his spiritual goal is, he will then focus on the exclusive practice of the Pure Land teaching.
Some Buddhists study for a long time. They read a lot, hear a lot, study a lot, go to a lot of Buddhist temples, until they eventually discover this teaching. At that time, if he is asked to let go of all of his learning, he will be reluctant to do so. He thinks, It was not easy for me to memorize the Diamond Sutra, the Surangama Mantra, the Great Compassion Mantra. I have gotten used to reciting so many times a day.
Wouldn’t it be a pity for me to let go of all of them, and just exclusively recite one single Name?
Actually, you have to let go! If you don’t lose, you never gain. If you don’t free your hands, you cannot grasp anything.
一般來說,初學佛的人,要一下子就接受這個純正的淨土法門不容易,因為他認為佛法廣大高深,總會忍不住想要廣泛涉獵,涉獵之後,才會慢慢發現自己的能力有限,以及自己所真正要的,之後才會專修專行淨土法門。
也有的人學佛很久,看得多、聽得多、學得多,道場也走得多,最後才接觸到這個法門,這時若要他將以前所學的統統放下,就會捨不得,感覺「我好不容易把《金剛經》、《楞嚴咒》、《大悲咒》背下來了,而且固定每天都念多少遍,現在要我全部都放下,只專念一句佛號,豈不是太可惜了?」
其實還是要捨,所謂捨得、捨得,不捨就不能得。
Namo Amituofo!
