Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School – the 18th Vow
淨宗傳承之第十八願
(continued)
However, among all sentient beings of the ten directions, those who are capable of cultivating various merits and virtues, and of cultivating the roots of virtues are rare; so, many sentient beings are excluded from Amitabha’s deliverance. Nevertheless, Amitabha Buddha swears in the 18th Vow, that all sentient beings of the ten directions regardless of their capacity to practice, or whether they are wise or ignorant, good or bad. Amitabha will deliver them equally. No one is excluded. So, the deliverance of sentient beings of the ten directions is comprehensive and there is no one who cannot be delivered. On the other hand, sentient beings of the ten directions (as stated in the 19thand 20th Vows) is very limited, and those who are neglected and missed are plentiful.
然十方眾生中堪能修諸功德、植諸德本者稀,故被漏之眾生甚多;而第十八願所誓之十方眾生,不問智愚善惡,不論修行堪否,彌陀一概平等救度,無一眾生被漏,故第十八願之十方眾生,其意甚廣,無一被漏故;而十九、二十所言「十方眾生」,其意甚狹,所遺漏者甚多故。
Namo Amituofo!
