Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about General Principles used in the Classification of Teachings
淨宗判教 - 總顯其義
The theology of Amitabha-recitation in the Shandao lineage originates from the demarcation of the teaching into the Two Paths: Difficult and Easy (adopted by Nagarjuna), the Two Powers - Self and Other (adopted by Tanluan), the Two Doors - Sacred and Pure Land (adopted by Daochuo), and the Two Teachings – Sudden and Gradual, (adopted by Shandao). It also includes the demarcation of the practices into: the Two Practices – Main and Miscellaneous, the Two Karmas - Primary and Supplementary, and the Karma of Assurance - exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name in accordance with his Fundamental Vow, to attain assured rebirth in Amitabha’s reward land.
Thus, the guiding principles of the theology of Amitabha-recitation in the Shandao lineage are “name-recitation in accordance with the Fundamental Vow”, and “ordinary beings attaining rebirth in the reward land”. It is the same as the conclusive statement made by Master Shandao in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra - “Given Amitabha Buddha’s fundamental vow, Shakyamuni Buddha’s underlying wish is none other than for all sentient beings to recite the name of Amitabha exclusively.
善導流之念佛思想,源自龍樹「難易二道」、曇鸞「自他二力」、道綽「聖淨二門」、善導「頓漸二教」等教判,及善導「正雜二行」、「助正二業」、「正定業」之行判;而歸宗結頂於彌陀本願專稱佛名之「正定業」為必得往生彌陀報土之行業。
故其宗旨即是「本願稱名、凡夫入報」,即是善導《觀經疏》結論之所言:望佛本願,意在眾生,一向專稱,彌陀佛名。
Namo Amituofo!
