Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Five Kinds of Augmentative Karma
Master Shandao reveals the five kinds of augmentative karma in his “Dharma School of Contemplation and Recitation.” These five kinds of augmentative karma can be produced through the Primary Practices, such as the Primary Practice of Observation (which is considered a supplementary form of karma whose magnitude and effectiveness may vary.) However, the five kinds of augmentative karma are included in the Primary Practice of Name-Recitation. (according to the original intent of the Buddha)
1. Augmentative Karma for the Elimination of Offenses – those sentient beings who recite [Amitabha’s Name] have the karmic offenses accumulated during many eons eradicated. As said in the passage on rebirth for those of the Highest Level in the Low Tier, the karmic offenses causing reincarnation in the cycle of birth-and-death for 5 billion eons are extinguished. In the passage on rebirth for those of the Lowest Level in the Low Tier, the karmic offenses causing reincarnation in the cycle of birth-and-death for 8 billion eons are extinguished.
五增上緣
善導大師《觀念法門》顯明五種增上緣。此五種增上緣,觀察等四種正行(助業)雖亦有之,其中自有強弱、淺深等差別,而約佛本意,釋為念佛正行(正定業)之具德。
(1) 滅罪增上緣
眾生稱念,則除多劫罪。如《觀經》下品上生說一念滅五十億劫生死之罪, 下品下生說一念滅八十億劫生死之罪。
Namo Amituofo!
