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》
(continued)
Among the 48 vows which one says, “Thinks of me, recites my name, and takes refuge in me”? It is the 18th Vow. Thus, we know the 18th Vow is the Fundamental Vow, and the content of the 18th Vow is “to recite my Name and take refuge in me”.
The result is “to enter the state of assurance [non-retrogression]”. In order to reach the stage of non-retrogression, we should reverently hold fast to the recitation of Amitabha’s Name.
“Recites my name, and takes refuge in me, he will instantly enter the state of assurance [non-retrogression]” refers to the “even ten times” mentioned in the 18th Vow. At the same time, since the 18th Vow has been accomplished, the person can attain the merit and virtues necessary to” instantly enter” the state of assurance [non-retrogression].
「念我、稱名、自歸、即入必定」這種內涵,是在四十八願當中的哪一願呢?
是第十八願。這就可以讓我們知道第十八願就是本願,而本願的內容是「稱名自歸」,而其結果是「即入必定」。「必定」就是不退轉,而要疾至不退轉,是只要以恭敬心,執持稱名號。
所以這裡所講的「稱名自歸,即入必定」,就顯出第十八願所講的「乃至十念」的稱名念佛;同時由於第十八願已經成就了,所以就能夠獲得「即入必定」的功德。
Namo Amituofo!
