An excerpt from “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth” by Master Shandao
善導大師《往生禮讚》摘句
Questions: All Buddhas realize the Threefold Body, and their fruition in wisdom and compassion are equally complete. Thus, there are no differences in these respects. Because of this, we should be able to be reborn in a Buddha’s realm if we prostrate to and recite any Buddha’s name. Why does Shakyamuni Buddha then only praise the Buddha in the West, and advise us to exclusively prostrate to and recite his Name exclusively? What is the meaning of this teaching?
Answer: What all Buddhas realize is indeed the same and equal. However, with respect to their vows and practices, each Buddha has his own causal conditions. Amitabha Buddha made a profound and weighty vow to embrace all beings with his light and transform them through his Name. He asks only that they have faith, aspire to rebirth in his Pure Land, and recite his Name.
Whether one recites for an entire lifetime, ten times, or even just once, attaining rebirth is easy because of the power of Amitabha’s Vow. That is why Shakyamuni and all other Buddhas advise us to aspire to be reborn in the Western Land, and not other pure lands.
問曰:一切諸佛,三身同證,悲智果圓,亦應無二;隨方禮念,課稱一佛,亦應得生。何故偏歎西方,勸專禮念等,有何義也?
答曰:諸佛所證,平等是一;若以願行來收,非無因緣。然彌陀世尊,本發深重誓願,以光明名號,攝化十方,但使信心求念;上盡一形,下至十聲、一聲等,以佛願力,易得往生。是故釋迦,及以諸佛,勸向西方,為別異耳。
Namo Amituofo!
