Nov 14, 2021
上人法語
淨宗判教 - 總顯其義
(continued)
Great Vow – Before Dharmakara Bodhisattva became Amitabha Buddha, he spent five eons practicing meditative virtues in order to create his 48 vows, that create his Pure Land, and set the requirements for our deliverance. The 18th Vow is called the Fundamental Vow, in which Amitabha swore to deliver all who sincerely wish to be reborn in his land, and exclusively recite his Name.
Great Karma – consists of Amitabha’s great accomplishments. Why are they great? Though the great vows were made, they would be empty if Amitabha failed to accomplish them. In order to do this, he pursued the bodhisattva practices for countless eons and, upon their accomplishment, made them readily available for us.
Great Power – is the unconditioned and flawless power of merit and virtues within the Name, and the embracing power of his unimpeded light. Amitabha shares. All of his merit and virtues with iniquitous sentient beings, who continuously commit offenses and suffer in the Three Wretched Realms and the Six Realms of existence, as long as they encounter ordinary conditions. However, we will be reborn to become Buddhas if we encounter Amitabha Buddha’s Other Power resulting from his great vows, great karma, and great power.
「大願」,就是阿彌陀佛當法藏菩薩的時候,為了救度我們,以五劫的時間去思惟後,考慮出容易救度我們的四十八願來,這就叫做「本願」。祂這個本願,是為我們而發的。
「大業」,就是指大的行為,什麼是大的行為呢?就是阿彌陀佛,雖然發了願,發了願如果沒有付諸實踐,這是空願,不能達到目的,所以必須實踐;阿彌陀佛經過了兆載永劫,去行菩薩萬行,可以說祂這個行,是為我們而修的。
「大力」,就是無礙光明的攝取力和無為、無漏的名號功德力。罪業凡夫遇普通之緣,則依然三塗六道,造業造罪、受苦受難之凡夫;若遇阿彌陀佛大願業力之增上緣,則往生成佛。
Namo Amituofo!
