Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about the Classification of Teachings – the Difficult and the Easy Paths
淨宗判教 – 難易二道判
Supposedly, Pure Land teaching is extremely plain and easy, direct and straightforward. If everyone were required to understand the complicated doctrinal teachings, or to realize faith in one thought, the characteristics of easiness in practice and splendidness in receiving the rewards of the Pure Land teaching would be obliterated. The basic principle of Amitabha’s compassion for the sake of ordinary beings is covered and hidden. The teaching for people with different aptitudes and under all circumstances becomes only for people with a specific kind of aptitude and under particular circumstances. Because of this misinterpretation, distorted explanation, and self-imposed restrictions, those who can be delivered and reborn become few. Thus, Shakyamuni sighed and said, “Even though it is easy to go there, few accept.”
淨土法門本極平易直截,若人人都需了解煩瑣的宗學,或需體驗信心的一念,便抹殺了淨土門易行疾至的勝易功能,也埋沒了彌陀佛大悲為凡的基本原則,直將普機普緣之教,反成一機一緣之法。如此誤解曲解,自我設限,則得救者寡,往生者稀,致使釋尊嘆言「易往而無人」。
Namo Amituofo!
