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》
Nagarjuna Bodhisattva says, “Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow is as follows: If anyone thinks of me, recites my name, and takes refuge in me, he will instantly enter the state of assurance [non-retrogression].” This is the definition of the 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra, as stated by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva.
“If anyone thinks of me” means - if a sentient being believes and accepts Amitabha’s deliverance, and aspires to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land. “Recites my name, and takes refuge in me” means - exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name and take refuge in Amitabha Buddha. Thus, we are taking refuge through reciting “Namo Amituofo”. Namo means to take refuge, so Name-recitation is taking refuge. Thus, any person who thinks of “me”(Amituofo) and recites his Name, is taking refuge in and relying on Amitabha’s deliverance through his Fundamental Vow.
Further, Nagarjuna Bodhisattva says, “He will instantly enter the state of assurance [non-retrogression]”. This person instantly reaches the Bodhisattva status in the state of non-retrogression.
龍樹菩薩說:「阿彌陀佛,本願如是:若人念我,稱名自歸,即入必定。」這是龍樹菩薩對《無量壽經》第十八願的定義。
「若人念我」就是如果有眾生信受彌陀救度,願生彌陀淨土,就是「念我」。「稱名自歸」,而專稱彌陀佛名,歸命於阿彌陀佛,因為自歸稱名,就是「南無阿彌陀佛」,「南無」就是歸命,所以稱名就是自歸;如此「念我稱名」的自己歸投依靠於彌陀本願的救度,則龍樹菩薩說「即入必定」,這種人當下就進入不退轉的菩薩階位了。
Namo Amituofo!
