Dec 10, 2021
上人法語
淨宗判教 - 總顯其義
(continued)
No matter how the Tientai and Huayen (which emphasize conceptual teachings) teach, or how the Tantric and Chan (which emphasize practices) work, they are not for us [ignorant people], and we simply can’t practice them.
If we were capable of practicing them, we would not be iniquitous sentient beings circulating in the cycle of birth-and-death. We simply do not possess the “aptitude” or conditions to leave this cycle. If we could benefit from those teachings [of the sacred paths], we would not need to follow the teaching of “rebirth with recourse to the power of Amitabha’s great vow”.
Hence, in the context of “aptitude” and “teaching”, we should choose the word “abandon” (“to give up”), of which the meaning is clear and unambiguous. This word—“abandon”—is critical, allowing us to not be confused or compromised. In this way we can grasp the gist of the Pure Land teaching with great clarity.
不管天臺也好、華嚴也好(這是著重於教理的),或是密宗也好、禪宗也好(這是著重於修行的),我們既修不來,也不需要。
如果修得來的話,我們就不是罪惡生死凡夫,就不是「無有出離之緣」的「機」了。如果還需要的話,也不是「乘彼願力定得往生」的「法」了。
所以,就「機」來講,就「法」來講,我們應該用「捨」這個字,明確而不模糊、不苟且、不妥協。「捨難取易」,這個「捨」字是關鍵,可以讓我們不混亂、不混淆、不模糊、不苟且、不妥協、不夾雜,可以讓我們清清楚楚、明明白白地掌握到要領。
Namo Amituofo!
