Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings of the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School – the 18th Vow
淨宗傳承之第十八願
Amitabha-recitation “even ten times”, as stated in the 18th Vow, means exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name (according to the patriarchs of our lineage). This is particularly stipulated in the conclusion of the Contemplation Sutra’s “passage on entrusting”.
This is also known as “Buddha-invocation by name-recitation”, not - “Buddha-invocation by contemplative meditation,” “Buddha-invocation by contemplating the image”, and, of course, not “Buddha-invocation by realization of the Real Mark.”
Amitabha- reciters are praised by Shakyamuni Buddha and called Pundarikas (Great White Lotus Flowers). It doesn’t matter whether you are a sacred or ordinary being, a good person or an evil person, as far as Buddha-invocation is concerned.
第十八願「乃至十念」的念佛,從幾位祖師的傳承,尤其是《觀無量壽經》的「付囑文」的結論來看,都是指「專念彌陀佛名」,也就是「稱名念佛」,而不是觀想、觀像的念佛,更不是實相的念佛,才使得聖人、凡夫、善人、惡人只要念佛,受得起釋迦牟尼佛的芬陀利華的讚歎。
Namo Amituofo!
