An excerpt from ‘In Praise of Dharma Practice’ by Master Shandao
善導大師《法事讚》摘句
Only a Buddha knows the realm of all Buddhas. The essence of a Buddhaland cannot be conceived by ordinary beings. Buddhas manifest their threefold bodies and their own pure lands for the purpose of delivering sentient beings. There is no difference with respect to the substance of their teachings and no difference between their pure lands, as all are made available to those who wish to come for enlightenment.
However, ordinary beings have confused thoughts, and they have no grounds for entrusting or settlement. In this respect, Shakyamuni Buddha and other buddhas do not cease being compassionate. They all point to the Land of Bliss, about ten thousand billion Buddha-lands to the West of us.
The name of the Buddha of that land is Amitabha. He teaches the Dharma there every day. That land is pure and adorned with four kinds of virtues. There is absolutely no unkind speech, no discrimination, no suffering, and no afflictions, as all inhabitants are equal.
(to be continued tomorrow)
諸佛境界,唯佛能知;國土精華,非凡所測。三身化用,皆立淨土,以導群生;法體無殊,有識歸之得悟。
但為凡夫亂想,寄託無由;故使釋迦諸佛,不捨慈悲,直指西方,十萬億剎,國名極樂,佛號彌陀,現在說法。其國清淨,具四德莊嚴;永絕譏嫌,等無憂惱。
Namo Amituofo!
