Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School – Nagarjuna Bodhisattva
《淨宗傳承之龍樹菩薩》
When we say the “Fundamental Vow”, it only refers to the 18th Vow, not the other vows. There is a verse in the Infinite Life Sutra that says, “By the power of that Buddha's Fundamental Vow, All who hear his Name and desire birth will, without exception, be born in his land, and effortlessly enter the Stage of Non-retrogression.”
The meaning of the Fundamental Vow here refers to the 18th Vow – Vow of Rebirth through Amitabha-Recitation, and not the other vows. In the Treatise on Rebirth there is another verse saying,” As it pertains to the Buddha’s Fundamental Vow, no one who encounters it will leave empty-handed.”
Any person who comes across it can expediently receive abundant merit and virtues, like an ocean of treasures. The Fundamental Vow mentioned here also refers to the 18th Vow, and not the other vows.
(to be continued tomorrow)
我們在稱「本願」的時候,都是單指第十八願來講的,不是指其他的願。《無量壽經》有一首〈本願偈〉說:「其佛本願力,聞名欲往生,皆悉到彼國,自致不退轉。」這裏的「本願」兩個字所含的意義也是在說明第十八願,不是在說明其他的願。
《往生論》裡面也有一首〈本願偈〉說:「觀佛本願力,遇無空過者,能令速滿足,功德大寶海。」偈中的「本願」也是在指第十八願,不是指其他的願。
Namo Amituofo!
