Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Three Vows of Deliverance for Rebirth
In the Teaching of Contemplation and Recitation of the Buddha, Master Shandao singles out the 18th, 19th and 20th Vows as containing the augmentative conditions for rebirth. This means that the three vows provide the necessary augmentative functional power to deliver all sentient beings to attain rebirth in the Land of Bliss.
This is why these vows are called the Three Vows of Deliverance for Rebirth.
Amitabha-recitation in the 18th Vow is real, while the various practices in the 19th Vow are expedient. These two vows are for those who can achieve rebirth in this lifetime, or who can be reborn in the next life. In other words, the karmic cause is practicing Amitabha-recitation in this life, to enable rebirth when this life comes to the end. The 20th Vow is for those who make a karmic connection with Amitabha Buddha. Their rebirth may be realized within the next few lives. That is to say, the karma accumulated in the first life enables rebirth in the following third life or after.
The 18th Vow refers to the whole (exclusive) practice of Amitabha-recitation as a result of whole (full) faith in Amitabha’s wisdom; to enable direct rebirth through manifestation in the next life.
(to be continued tomorrow)
攝生三願
善導大師《觀念法門》舉第十八、十九、二十願屬「攝生增上緣」,意思是由這三願的增上作用力,能攝一切眾生畢竟得生極樂國土,故稱「攝生三願」,即正攝受眾生往生的三條願。
第十八願念佛為真實,第十九願諸行為方便,此二願為當機願,順次往生, 即現在行念佛等業因,緊接著次生(當生命終之後)受往生果; 第二十願為結緣願,順後往生,即第一生作業,第三生或第三生以後受果。
第十八願為明信佛智之全分念佛,順次直接化生。
Namo Amituofo!
