Nov 17, 2021
Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Primary and Miscellaneous Practices
Primary and Miscellaneous Practices refer to the two categories of practices for rebirth in the Western Land of Bliss. With respect to the different aptitudes and circumstances of the Buddhists at the time of Master Shandao: the practices of recitation of scriptures, reflection, holding precepts, repentance, reverential acts, making offerings, name-recitation, etc. were proposed for rebirth. Master Shandao organized and grouped all practices into Primary Practices and Miscellaneous Practices in the text on “establishment of faith in the context of practice”, the all-time definitive Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra.
As far as aspiration for rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land is concerned, there are five kinds of Primary Practices. Apart from the five kinds of Primary Practices, all other virtuous practices are called Miscellaneous Practices, which must be dedicated to rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land.
(to be continued tomorrow)
正雜二行
指正行與雜行,是往生西方極樂世界的兩種修行方法。
善導大師針對當時之佛教環境與不同學佛人的根器,曾提到誦經、觀想、持戒、懺悔、禮拜、供養、念佛......等等行持;然,最後於楷定古今之《觀經四帖疏》「就行立信」之處,則予以組織歸納而為正行與雜行二種。亦即,就願生彌陀淨土來講,其正行有五種,除此五種正行之外,其他諸善萬行,統稱為雜行,須用迴向方能往生彌陀淨土。
Namo Amituofo!
