Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
(continued)
2. Nature of mind - Ordinary beings lack truthfulness. They are full of greed, anger, deviousness, and hypocrisy, and their iniquitous nature is hard to penetrate. They may make positive efforts through the Three Karmas (deeds, words and thoughts); but, these are known as contaminated acts of virtue. They are also called empty, false deeds, not genuine or truthful actions.
On the other hand, Amitabha Buddha is absolutely pure and truthful. While he was practicing the Bodhisattva path in the causal ground, his every thought and actions were genuine. All his practices in the Three Karmas were of a truthful nature.
If we let go of our self-power, rely on Amitabha, forsake the false, and recite his Name exclusively, our rebirth is assured.
2.心性:凡夫一向無有真實,貪瞋邪偽、惡性難侵,雖起三業,名為雜毒之善,亦名虛假之行,不名真實之業。
然阿彌陀佛絕對清淨、絕對真實,乃至因中行菩薩行時,一念一時,三業所修,無不真實。
若捨己歸佛,捨假取真,信受彌陀救度,專稱彌陀佛名,必得往生。
Namo Amituofo!
