Dec 1, 2021
上人法語
淨宗判教 - 總顯其義
(continued)
For example, the Tientai School defines Amitabha’s Pure Land according to their scheme of ‘Fourfold Land’, and infers that ordinary beings must be reborn in the lowest realm – a common place for both ordinary and sacred beings.
The Fahsiang School defines Amitabha’s Pure Land as a superior and splendid realm; but, insists that ordinary sentient beings cannot be reborn there.
Such misinterpretations do not match the original intent of Amitabha. Master Shandao says, “ these kinds of errors mislead others and cause considerable damage.” In view of such a situation, Master Honen resolutely decided to found the Pure Land School (Jodo Shu) in Japan and wrote a book entitled “ A Collection of Passages on the Nembutsu (nianfo) Chosen in the Original Vow”, which became a primary scripture. The book revealed the original intent of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, as well as the chosen practice for rebirth.
如天台宗以其四土判定彌陀淨土，並判定凡夫往生的是最卑淺的凡聖同居土；
又如法相宗判彌陀淨土雖然高妙，但認為凡夫不能往生。
如此錯解，非彌陀本意，善導大師謂之：「自失誤他，為害不淺。」法然上人有鑒於此，毅然於各宗之外別立淨土的宗派，並撰寫《選擇本願念佛集》作為開宗立教的「本典」，至此彌陀本願的意趣，往生的行體，顯露無遺。
Namo Amituofo!
