Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Mind of merit-dedication and aspiration
To dedicate with genuine and deep faith, all of our past and present virtuous roots and from delighting in those of others, towards rebirth in the Pure Land – that is to have the Mind of Merit-Dedication and Aspiration.
However, those who practice Amitabha-recitation exclusively do not dedicate merit from miscellaneous practices. Rather, they dedicate the virtuous roots nurtured before they began exclusively reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha. Since they now recite exclusively, their assorted good deeds and those of others they took delight in are folded into Amitabha-recitation, becoming one entity. Hence, they no longer need to dedicate any virtues.
To sum up, the Mind of Merit-Dedication and Return is a mental state of yearning for rebirth in the Pure Land, with no retrogression.
迴向發願心
以過去今生,自作、隨喜等一切善根,悉皆真實深信心中迴向願生彼國,稱作迴向發願心。
專修念佛行者,並非於念佛之外別修雜行以迴向,乃是迴向專修念佛之前所作善根。因既專修念佛,點滴之善皆納入念佛一體,念佛之外不見餘善之相故。
又不僅自作善根迴向,也隨喜他善以迴向。總之,切願往生、相續不退之心即為迴向發願心。
Namo Amituofo!
