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
Broadly speaking, Amitabha Buddha made 48 vows. Though each of the 48 vows has its own aim, they all serve the purpose of inspiring sentient beings to admire the joy of the Land of Bliss, and to renounce the sufferings in the Land of Saha, so that they can be reborn in the Land of Bliss through Amitabha-recitation.
Thus, all of the vows are unfolded from “wishing to be reborn in that Land”, as stated in the 18th Vow. Moreover, only if sentient beings can be reborn, Amitabha Buddha can become a Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha can exist.
廣的來講,阿彌陀佛有四十八大願,四十八大願雖各有其目的,但都是為了使眾生欣慕極樂之樂、厭離娑婆之苦,而念佛往生極樂淨土。所以,所有的願都是從第十八願「欲生我國」開展出來的,也唯有眾生能夠往生,才有阿彌陀佛的成佛、阿彌陀佛的存在。
Namo Amituofo!
