Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
De facto founder – means the patriarch who founded and synthesized a school. Since Buddhism was brought to China various schools were established, particularly during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Basically, all of the de facto founders of the various schools in China, lived during the Sui and Tang dynasties. This would refer to Master Zhizhe, the de facto founder of Tientai School, and Master Shandao, the de facto founder of the Pure Land School.
When establishing a school let’s use the analogy of building a grand mansion. First, we have to clear and level the land, and build a strong foundation. Then we construct columns on top of the foundation, and complete the entire building. Next we have to do the internal finishing, add fixtures and furniture, and make it convenient and comfortable for living. The first patriarch is the one who clears and levels the land, and the de facto founder is the one who completes the rest of the work. The two of them should not be compared in terms of their contributions and status.
宗祖 - 一宗之開宗祖師稱「宗祖」,是一宗的實際創立者、集大成者。佛教從印度傳入中國,至隋唐時期中國佛教各宗成立,故各宗宗祖皆為隋唐時代的中國境內祖師。如天臺宗宗祖為智者大師,淨土宗的宗祖是善導大師。
譬如將創立宗派比作建一座莊嚴的大廈,先要開荒僻壤、平整土地;後打下堅實的地基;再從地基上立柱;之後大廈全面完工;最後再對大廈細部裝潢,添置器具,以使更加適居周便等。初祖如同開荒僻壤、平整土地,宗祖如同大廈全面完工,兩者貢獻與地位不可同日而語。
Namo Amituofo!
