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
There are two meanings of “even” in the phrase “even ten times” in the text of the Fundamental Vow:
1. “Even” refers to those who come across the teaching in the present lifetime. They are able to practice name-recitation throughout the remainder of this life.
2. “Even” also refers to those who come across the teaching near the end-of-life, then name-recitation can be practiced as short as ten times, one time, or even one thought.
Simply speaking, those who come across the teaching in the present lifetime should recite Amitabha’s Name throughout the remainder of this life. Those who come across the teaching near the end-of-life can recite Amitabha’s Name for as long as the length of one thought.
本願文之「乃至十念」之「乃至」有二意:
一、乃至平生之機,則上盡一形之念佛;
二、乃至臨終之機,則下至十聲一聲一念之念佛。
簡言之即是「平生之機,上盡一形;臨終之機,下至一念」。
Namo Amituofo!
