Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism
淨土信仰
(continued)
Direct straightforward dedication simply requires exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name and aspiration to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land. It does not require accumulating any other merit and virtues to return to the Land of Bliss.
Name-recitation is the cause and rebirth is the effect. Through such a cause, there naturally comes the respective effect. So, taking refuge by reciting the Name, naturally includes dedication and aspiration within it.
Thus, Master Shandao says there is a threefold connotation of “Namo” – taking refuge, dedicating, and aspiring. In comparing the three connotations, taking refuge is the main one, because taking refuge naturally implies the mind of dedication and aspiration.
「直爾迴向」就是只要專稱彌陀佛名,願生彌陀淨土,就是迴轉向著極樂世界,不需要其他的功德,而且稱名是因,往生是果。如是因,自然有如是果,所以歸命稱名的本身,自自然然就有發願迴向在裏面。
因此善導大師解釋「南無」有歸命及發願迴向兩種涵義。這兩種當中,以歸命是南無主要的涵義,只是既然是歸命,自然就有願生之心。
Namo Amituofo!
