Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Amitabha Sutra spoken by the Buddha - It is one of the three principal Sutras of the Pure Land School. Its shortened names are the Amitabha Sutra and the Smaller Sutra.
This Sutra was spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha without being requested by anyone. The Buddha pro-actively taught this Sutra with Sariputra being the principal audience. So, it is also known as the Sutra Spoken at His Own Discretion, Without Being Asked”. This Sutra is the most concise and precise among the three Pure Land Sutras.
The main theme of this Sutra is: Shakyamuni Buddha praises and extols various adornments of the Land of Bliss, instructs us and urges all ordinary beings to exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name with singleness of mind, for one to 7 days. In this way they are assured of rebirth. This fact is also unanimously praised, urged, and endorsed by all Buddhas of the ten directions.
《佛說阿彌陀經》- 淨土宗三部正依經典之一。簡稱《阿彌陀經》《小經》。本經是世尊在無人請問的情形下,以舍利弗尊者為對告眾,主動宣說,故稱「無問自說」之經。在淨土三部經中最為簡明扼要。本經主題是:釋迦讚歎極樂種種莊嚴,指勸一切凡夫,一日七日,一心專念彌陀名號,定得往生。十方諸佛悉皆同讚、同勸、同證。
Namo Amituofo!
