Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Four Modes of Practice
(continued)
1. Cultivation of Respectful Practice - According to Master Shandao’s In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth, when undertaking the Five Primary Practices and the Five Paths of Invocation, we should venerate Amitabha Buddha and his sacred assembly. To be respectful is a mental activity, while veneration is a physical act that expresses respect. Cultivation of Respectful Practice is to show respect through mind and body.
2. Cultivation of Exclusive Practice - Not to undertake miscellaneous practices; but, only exclusive Amitabha-recitation and the other primary practices. That is the Cultivation of Exclusive Practice.
3. Cultivation of Uninterrupted Practice - “Interrupted” means “separated by.” Cultivation of Uninterrupted Practice is to continually undertake the Five Primary Practices, uninterrupted by various other practices. It is also to avoid disruption by such afflictions as greed, anger, and delusion. Yet, the fact is, ordinary beings cannot free themselves entirely from such vexations. If they arise, we should be aware of them and purify ourselves through repentance. In other words, we should “practice penitence as soon as transgressions occur.”
To be continued tomorrow)
四修
1. 恭敬修
依善導大師《往生禮讚》所釋,於修五正行及五念門時,恭敬禮拜阿彌陀佛及彼一切聖眾。恭敬,意業為主;禮拜,身業示尊:即身心並敬,為恭敬修。
2. 無餘修
專稱佛名等五種正行之外,更不加雜餘一切行,故名無餘修。
3. 無間修
「間」即間隔。相續修五種正行,不以餘行來間,故名無間修。又,不以貪瞋煩惱來間;但凡夫之人不可能全無貪瞋煩惱,設起貪瞋之時,直下覺悟懺悔,常使清淨,所謂「隨犯隨懺」。
Namo Amituofo!
