Nov 13, 2021
上人法語
淨宗判教 - 總顯其義
Generally, the Buddhist teachings are divided into the Sacred Gate/ the Path of Importance and the Path of the Great Vow/ the Pure Land Gate.
The Path of Importance is further divided into the meditative and non-meditative virtues. The Meditative virtues are the thirteen contemplations, and the non-meditative virtues are the Three Meritorious Deeds at Nine Levels.
We should read the Contemplation Sutra in order to understand the Three Meritorious Deeds at Nine Levels, which belong to the teaching of both self-power and other-power. Those teachings dedicate self-power practices to Amitabha Buddha (other-power), so that other-power can deliver us. Thus, it is a teaching of other-power resulting from self-power.
The Path of the Great Vow purely results from the dedication of other-power. “Other” is Amitabha Buddha. It is Amitabha’s power, merit and virtues shared with us, so that we possess them unconditionally. What does Amitabha dedicate to us? His great vows, great karma, and great power.
(to be continued tomorrow)
佛法大致分為「聖道門」和「淨土門」,淨土門裏有「要門」、「弘願門」。
「要門」則分「定」跟「散」,「定」就是「十三觀」,「散」是「三福九品」。
三福九品必須看《觀無量壽經》才能夠了解,這是屬於「自他二力」的法門,自力迴向給阿彌陀佛──他力,使他力能夠救度我們,所以說是他力中的自力法門。
「弘願門」呢,是純粹「他力迴向」過來的,「他」是指阿彌陀佛,是阿彌陀佛將祂的力量、功德,迴向給我們,使我們白白就能夠擁有的,那麼祂迴向什麼給我們呢?就是「大願」、「大業」、「大力」。
Namo Amituofo!
