August 24, 2022

Aug 24, 2022

A verse about the “Home of Our Dharma King” quoted from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’ by Master Shandao

善導大師《般舟讚》「我法王家」之偈:

I wish all of my Pure Land companions, who have a karmic relationship with Amitabha Buddha,

Would pay full attention to directly entering the Pure Land of Bliss, the home of our Dharma King, without any hesitation.

普願有緣同行者,專心直入不須疑;

一到彌陀安養國,原來是我法王家。

Namo Amituofo!

August 23, 2022

Aug 23, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Classification of Teachings – Other-Power and Self-Power

淨宗判教 – 自他二力判

The teachings of “Self-Power” and “Other-Power” were given by Master Tanluan.

They originated from the teachings of the “Difficult Path” and the “Easy Path” by Master Nagarjuna.

「自力」和「他力」是曇鸞大師的思想,曇鸞大師的自、他力思想則根源於龍樹菩薩的「難行道」與「易行道」思想而加以發揮的。

Namo Amituofo!

August 22, 2022

Aug 22, 2022

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about Discarding Self-Power (Advising us to practice the Particular or Special Path)

印光大師法語「揀去自力」之文(勸修特別法門)

Those paths that rely on self-power are called the General or Common Paths.

Those that rely on Buddha-power are called the Particular or Special Paths.

Thus, discard self-power and emphasize Buddha-power, while hoping that sentient beings in the Saha World, with all kinds of delusive karma, will go to the Lotus Pond after this life.

仗「自力」者,名「通途法門」;

仗「佛力」者,名「特別法門」。

由茲,揀去自力,注重佛加,冀娑婆具足惑業之含識,現生同赴蓮池。

Namo Amituofo!

August 21, 2022

Aug 21, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching of the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School – the 18th Vow

淨宗傳承之第十八願

(continued)

2. To inspire those who recite a great deal through the illustration of rebirth for those who recite only a few times – Those who recite ten times, five times, one time, or even just wish to recite but cannot open their mouths; not to mention those who recite the Name for their whole life.

3. To inspire good people through the illustration of rebirth even for evil ones – A wicked person can be reborn if he repents and aspires to be reborn, upon hearing this teaching of deliverance near the end of his life. If even a wicked person can be reborn, certainly those who are good can as well.

二、以少念攝多念:乃至十念,或只有五念、三念,或者一念,乃至你嘴巴念不出來,心中的一念,也能夠往生;何況稱念一輩子。

三、以惡人攝善人:甚至一個完全沒有修行或作惡多端的人,臨終遇到這個法門,迴心轉意,也能夠往生;何況善人。

Namo Amituofo!

August 20, 2022

Aug 20, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching of the Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land School – the 18th Vow

淨宗傳承之第十八願

To fully understand “even ten times” and “even one thought”, there are three ways to show the absolute deliverance of the Pure Land teaching, which is known as the “Three Embraces / Inclusion”:

1. To embrace those in the present life by explaining rebirth for those near the end-of-life – With respect to life, a person whose life is as short as recitation “even ten times” or “even one thought” has a chance to attain rebirth; not to mention those who believe and aspire to be rebirth, and exclusively recite the Name for the duration of their present life.

(to be continued tomorrow)

以第十八願的「乃至十念」、「乃至一念」,可以三方面來顯示這個法門的絕對救度性,即所謂的「三攝」:

一、以臨終攝平生:以壽命來講,短到「乃至十念」、「乃至一念」,也還有往生的機會;何況平生即信願專稱,念念不捨。

Namo Amituofo!

August 19, 2022

Aug 19, 2022

31 Verses Explaining the Amitabha Sutra from the “Praise of Dharma Practices” by Master Shandao

善導大師《法事讚》 轉《阿彌陀經》31偈語

9. A Verse to Praise the Lotus Flowers in the Jeweled Ponds 

Wishing to be reborn, wishing to be reborn

The Land of Bliss is vast and pure. The terrains are splendid and it is difficult to measure their limits.

The water of eight virtues flows everywhere. The bottoms of the waterways are covered with golden sand that illuminates with extraordinary light.

The pathways on the four sides are not just a single color. Mansions in millions of rows are built along the shores.

Ornaments decorated with pearls and agates shine and reflect on each other. Four kinds of lotus blossoms emit their beautiful fragrances.

When sentient beings from the ten directions are reborn there, they each are given a seat to hear the teachings of truths.

These are just some of the reasons for naming it the Land of Bliss. Let’s hold fragrant flowers in our hands, and always make offerings to the Buddha.

9. 讚寶池蓮華偈

願往生 願往生

極樂世界廣清淨 地上莊嚴難可量

八功香池流遍滿 底布金沙照異光

四邊階道非一色 岸上重樓百萬行

真珠瑪瑙相映飾 四種蓮華開即香

十方人天得生者 各坐一箇聽真常

是故彼國名極樂 眾等持華來供養

Namo Amituofo!

August 18, 2022

Aug 18, 2022

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

(continued)

Briefly speaking, it refers to the 18th Vow – If sentient beings who recite my Name even ten times are not born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Master Shandao says, “ the Forty - eight vows all explain attaining rebirth through the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name.

This real benefit is also the replete and unsurpassed great benefit. Through just this one thought, all sentient beings can accomplish the unsurpassed Buddha Way. So, the passage on Giving Advice in the Infinite Life Sutra states:

If there are people who hear the Name of that Buddha, rejoice so greatly as to dance, and remember him even once, then you should know that they have gained great benefit and received unsurpassed virtue.

真實之利

略而論之,即第十八願,所謂「十方眾生,乃至十念,若不生者,不取正覺」。善導大師釋:「四十八願,唯明專念彌陀名號得生。」

此真實之利,即無上大利,一念具足無上功德,圓滿成就無上佛道。《大經》彌勒付囑文云:「其有得聞,彼佛名號,歡喜踴躍,乃至一念,當知此人,為得大利,則是具足無上功德。」

Namo Amituofo!

August 17, 2022

Aug 17, 2022

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

Real Benefits

In the preface of the Great Sutra Shakyamuni explicitly reveals his original intent: As the Tathagata, I regard beings of the three worlds with boundless compassion. The reason for my appearance in the world is to reveal teachings of the Way and save multitudes of beings by endowing them with real benefits.

The objective of the Great Sutra is to expound Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow for delivering sentient beings. The real benefit, broadly speaking, refers to Amitabha’s 48 vows and his earnest calling out to sentient beings, hoping they will wish to be reborn in the West by relying on his power.

(to be continued tomorrow)

真實之利

《大經.序分》開宗明義即顯示釋尊出世之本懷而言:

如來以無盡大悲,矜哀三界,所以出興於世,光闡道教,欲拯濟群萌,惠以真實之利。

《大經》旨在宣說彌陀救度眾生之本願,其真實之利者,廣而言之,即彌陀四十八願,所謂「四十八願殷勤喚,乘佛願力往西方」。

Namo Amituofo!

August 16, 2022

Aug 16, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism

淨土信仰

With respect to abiding by the precepts, giving, and even perseverance, vigor, meditation and wisdom, i.e. the Six Paramitas; we Buddhists should practice them in accordance with our capacity and according to karmic circumstances. However, since they are not the main cause of rebirth or related to rebirth in the Land of Bliss, we Buddhists should just do our best in accordance with our capacity under the karmic circumstances.

As they are not the main cause of rebirth, they are regarded as having few virtuous roots with respect to rebirth. Simply speaking, since they are not important in terms of rebirth, it doesn’t matter whether they have few or many virtues, or whether the practices are primary or secondary, self-powered or other-powered.

對於持戒、布施,甚至忍辱、精進、禪定、智慧所謂的六度萬行,對我們學佛的人來講是應該做的,應該隨緣、隨份去修的,只是這些跟往生極樂世界是不相干的,也就是說我們要往生極樂世界,不是以這些為業因、為正因;不過是一個學佛的人應隨緣、隨份去做的內容。

既然不是往生的正因,對往生而言就是少善根。易言之, 如果不是作為往生來講,就無所謂少善、不少善,也無所謂正行、雜行,自力、他力。

Namo Amituofo!

August 15, 2022

Aug 15, 2022

A verse about “the only way to transcend the Three Domains” quoted from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’ by Master Shandao

善導大師《般舟讚》「獨超三界」之偈:

A Pure Land practitioner should teach sentient beings to recite Amitabha’s Name often.

And dedicate his own merit and virtues plus those attained through rejoicing others, and aspire to be reborn.

In this way, his mind is settled and he is determined to attain rebirth in the Land of Peace and Joy.

It is the only way to leave this cage of afflictions and transcend the Three Domains.

普教眾生常念佛,自他功德並須迴;

安心定意生安樂,獨超三界出煩籠。

Namo Amituofo!

August 14, 2022

Aug 14, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Classification of Teachings – the Difficult and Easy Paths

淨宗判教 – 難易二道判

The purpose of learning Buddhism is to liberate ourselves and others from the suffering of reincarnation. However , practitioners should decide what they should focus on first. Our first objective must be to liberate ourselves from reincarnation in the Three Domains and the Six Realms. Our second step is to become Buddhas and comprehensively deliver sentient beings.

Whether you are pursuing your short term or long term goals, the means of achieving them are classified as the Difficult Path - if you rely on “self-powered” cultivation of the Sacred Path( which is as difficult as climbing to heaven). If you rely on Amitabha’s “other-powered” deliverance, it is considered the Easy Path (which can be accomplished in this lifetime.)

學佛的目的在於自己跟他人生死輪迴的解脫,所以修行人都要把生死看得很重。近程來講,解脫三界六道輪迴;遠程來講,成就佛道、廣度眾生。

這近程、遠程,如果依自力聖道門,那是難行道,難如登天,我們做不到。如果依淨土門,依靠彌陀他力的救度,就是易行道,當生成就,一生成辦。

Namo Amituofo!

August 13, 2022

Aug 13, 2022

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching about “different teachings” (the General and Particular Paths)

印光大師法語「法門不同」之文(總判通別二門)

We should not see the two kinds of teachings mentioned above as the same. Ordinary beings with all kinds of delusive karma should select one carefully. It is beneficial to discuss the two teachings separately; but, it is harmful to mix or combine them in our practice.

二種法門,不可並論,而具足惑業之凡夫,可不慎所擇哉!.... 各別論之則有益,混融論之則有損。

Namo Amituofo!

August 12, 2022

Aug 12, 2022

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

(continued)

“Ten times,” as mentioned in the phrase “even ten times,” refers to a dying person who has not: learned Buddhism, has not recited Amitabha’s Name, practiced virtues, accumulated merit, or taken refuge in the Three Jewels. He can be reborn by reciting “up to ten times. Certainly, we who have undertaken these practices can be reborn as well!

By setting “up to ten times” as the benchmark, Amitabha Buddha indicates that anyone who merely wishes to be reborn and practices Amitabha-recitation to this degree can be reborn.

乃至十念的「十念」,它是臨命終的人,以往也沒有學佛念佛、行善積德,甚至連三皈依都沒有,他念佛頂多十聲,也能往生,我們再怎麼樣的愚劣,念佛到現在都不只十聲,他都能夠往生,何況是我們?

阿彌陀佛是以這種作為標準,以顯明只要願生稱名,任何人都能夠合乎這個標準,都能夠往生。

Namo Amituofo!

August 11, 2022

Aug 11, 2022

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

“Even ten times” is the lowest benchmark for Amitabha-recitation, nothing is lower than that. It is almost unconditional, with no barriers. It allows anyone to do it, and can give all people great hope.

“Even ten times” means, even if a person has not learned Buddhism, or recited Amitabha’s Name; as he nears the point of death, if he simply recites Namo Amituofo up to ten times, he will be reborn in the Land of Bliss. Thus, it covers all who aspire to be reborn and begin reciting Namo Amituofo. So, “even ten times” infers that all Amitabha-reciters are included. It indicates that whoever merely recites Amitabha’s Name is assured of rebirth. So, “even ten times” means, those who follow the Pure Land teaching in this lifetime should exclusively recite Namo Amitabha for the remainder of this life. Those who come across the teaching near death need only recite the Name up to ten times.

(to be continued tomorrow)

「乃至十念」的念佛是最低的標準,沒有比這個更低了,幾乎沒有條件、沒有門檻,使所有的人通通做得來,通通有希望。

乃至十念就是乃至一生沒有學佛念佛,到了臨命終時,時間短促,才念了十聲南無阿彌陀佛也能往生極樂世界,來涵蓋現在就發願往生,現在就開始念佛,通通都能往生。

所以是用「乃至十念」,來涵蓋所有念佛的眾生;顯示不論何人,只要念佛,都必往生。因此,「乃至十念」即是「平生之機,上盡一形;臨終之機,下至十念」的念佛。

Namo Amituofo!

August 10, 2022

Aug 10, 2022

31 Verses Explaining the Amitabha Sutra from “Praise of Dharma Practices” by Master Shandao

善導大師《法事讚》 轉《阿彌陀經》31偈

8. A Verse to Praise the Arrayed Trees in Seven Tiers

Wishing to be reborn, wishing to be reborn

It has forever been heard and seen throughout past eons, descriptions of the jeweled adornments of the Pure Land in the West.

There are hundreds and thousands of layers of jeweled nets with pearls and gems allover the sky and on the ground.

Every single net is connected by knots of precious jewels, exquisitely producing all varieties of brilliant lights in assorted colors.

The branches of the jeweled trees intermingle. The rows are neatly arranged and evenly spaced.

This is all because of the power of Amitabha’s compassionate vows. It is natural and permanent without any change or decay.

The multitudes should dedicate their merit and aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land. Let’s hold fragrant flowers in our hands, and always make offerings to the Buddha.

8. 讚七重行樹偈

願往生 願往生

歷劫以來未聞見 西方淨土寶莊嚴

地上虛空皆遍滿 珠羅寶網百千重

一一網羅結珍寶 玲瓏雜色盡暉光

寶樹枝條異相間 行行整直巧相當

此是彌陀悲願力 無衰無變湛然常

眾等迴心皆願往 手執香華常供養

Namo Amituofo!

August 9, 2022

Aug 9, 2022

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

(continued)

Our Rewards Resulting from the Efforts of Others

Master Tanluan says in his Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth, “Whoever is to be reborn in that Pure Land, whatever practices are performed by bodhisattvas, heavenly, and human beings arise from the power of the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha.”

This explains that, not only sentient beings who want to be reborn in the present rely on the power of the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha; but, also those already born in the Land of Bliss. All who want to become Buddhas and comprehensively deliver sentient beings in future also rely on the power of the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha. That means, both “going to the Pure Land” and “returning from the Pure Land” are accomplished through the power of the Fundamental Vow of Amitabha Buddha.

The cultivation of Amitabha Buddha and the merit and virtues attained upon completion of his vows and practices, are given to sentient beings. This is known as “our reward resulting from the efforts of another.”

他作自受

曇鸞大師在《往生論註》卷下說:

「凡是生彼淨土,及彼菩薩人天所起諸行,皆緣阿彌陀如來本願力故。」顯示不僅現在要往生的眾生,是靠彌陀的本願力;即使往生到了極樂世界, 將來成佛,廣度眾生,也是由於阿彌陀佛的本願力所成就的,也就是「往還皆由本願力」。

阿彌陀佛修行,願行圓滿所得的果,由眾生來接受,這個叫作「他作自受」。

Namo Amituofo!

August 8, 2022

Aug 8, 2022

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

The Rewards Resulting from the Efforts of Others

The effects resulting from Amitabha’s Other-Power are known as “rewards resulting from the efforts of another.” It is similar to children receiving benefits from the efforts of their parents. It is just like Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who make the Four Great Vows and practice the Bodhisattva Way to benefit sentient beings, eradicate their karmic offenses, and deliver them from reincarnation. These are called “rewards resulting from the efforts of others”.

“Others” mean Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. With respect to the Pure Land teaching, “other” refers only to Amitabha Buddha. Amitabha Buddha set forth his 48 vows for sentient beings in the ten directions. He also cultivated and accumulated a myriad of Bodhisattva virtues for sentient beings through countless eons. These are known as “the efforts of another”.

Amitabha made immense efforts in practice, and the resulting merit and virtues are given to sentient beings like us. This is how “we are benefitted”.

(to be continued tomorrow)

他作自受

他力的因果就是他作自受--別人做,而我們來領受。這種是就諸佛菩薩發四弘誓願,發大菩提心行菩薩道來利益眾生、救度眾生、消眾生的罪業、度脫眾生的輪迴,這樣就叫「他作自受」。

「他」是指佛菩薩的意思,若以淨土法門來說,「他」單指阿彌陀佛。阿彌陀佛發四十八大願是為十方眾生所發,他兆載永劫、積植菩薩萬行功德,是為十方眾生所累積,這叫做「他作」;阿彌陀佛所做的,而果報功德,卻是我們眾生來領受、信受,叫作「自受」。

Namo Amituofo!

August 7, 2022

Aug 7, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism

淨土信仰

People encounter “delusion, karma and suffering” during cycle after cycle. The obstructions caused by the afflictions and karma accumulated through countless eons force people to experience the endless suffering of reincarnation in the cycle of birth-and-death within the Six Realms.

However, as long as they recite Amitabha’s Name and aspire to be born in the Land of Bliss, the obstructions caused by afflictions and karma will not incur any retribution in this life, even though they remain human or celestial beings. Why?

It is because Amitabha’s light always embraces and protects them. Moreover, upon the end of life, Amitabha Buddha will appear, to transport them to the Land of Bliss. The Land of Bliss is a realm in which we become Buddhas. This is why Shakyamuni Buddha calls Amitabha-reciters Large White Lotus Flowers.

人有「惑業苦」,無量劫以來含藏的煩惱跟業障,導致無窮無盡的六道生死輪迴之苦,可是只要他念佛,願生極樂,人間也好,天上也好,雖然尚有煩惱、業障,但是煩惱、業障不再能污染而使他下一輩子繼續輪迴受報,為什麼?

因為阿彌陀佛的光明始終不離的攝取保護著他。而且一旦命終,阿彌陀佛就會現身迎接他到極樂世界,而極樂世界是成佛的境界,到了極樂世界就必定成佛。所以釋迦牟尼佛就用芬陀利華來比喻念佛人。

Namo Amituofo!

August 6, 2022

Aug 6, 2022

A verse about “ suddenly recollecting hell ” quoted from ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’ by Master Shandao

善導大師語錄《般舟讚》「忽憶地獄」之偈:

Suddenly, we recollect the long lasting suffering in all of the hells.

And we forget to forsake the temporary pleasure of desire.

The Land of Bliss is an unconditioned realm,

Which is really the best of the best for the final settlement of our physical lives.

忽憶地獄長時苦,不捨須臾忘安樂;

安樂佛國無為地,畢竟安身實是精。

Namo Amituofo!

August 5, 2022

Aug 5, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Classification of Teachings – the Difficult and the Easy Paths

淨宗判教 – 難易二道判

Some scholars give talks about the Pure Land teaching. Usually, they mix the Easy Path and the Difficult Paths together. In that way, they make the requirements for rebirth very difficult to achieve. Thus, Amitabha-reciters become disillusioned about their potential to reach the Pure Land. This self-powered approach very much misses the original intent of Amitabha Buddha’s vows and misleads sentient beings about the causal conditions necessary to attain rebirth.

Actually, what enables even the most powerless and hopeless person to be delivered is Amitabha-recitation, which contains Amitabha’s Infinite Other Power. (just as it says in the section of the Contemplation Sutra’s passage regarding those on “ the lowest level in the low tier”) By simply relying on Amitabha-recitation alone, they can finally depart from the village of reincarnation and return to the realm of Nirvana. This refers to the original intent of Amitabha Buddha, who made his vows to save All sentient beings. It is also the essence and the true spirit of the Easy Path.

有學者演講淨土法門,往往將易行道與難行道,混為一談,把往生的條件,講得很高、很難,使念佛人望洋興嘆,半途而退;不免上違彌陀發願的本懷,下誤眾生得救的機緣。

其實,能使無力之人往生,絕望之人獲救,如下品下生的根機,只靠念佛,亦能遠離輪轉之鄉,還歸涅槃之界,才是彌陀佛為眾發願的本懷,也是易行道真正精神之所在。

Namo Amituofo!

August 4, 2022

Aug 4, 2022

Master Yinguang’s Short Teaching saying “all people can be reborn”

印光大師法語「一切人皆生」之文

In our Pure Land practice, the only practitioners who cannot be reborn are those who lack complete faith in the teaching.

All people who have complete faith in Amitabha Buddha can attain rebirth.

淨土法門,但恐信不及,若信得及,一切人皆得往生。

Namo Amituofo!

August 3, 2022

Aug 3, 2022

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

(continued)

By simple name-recitation for the remainder of one’s life, ten out of ten, a hundred out a hundred practitioners can be reborn. That means, ten thousand out of ten thousand practitioners can be reborn. So, “people of the three roots, and all sharp and dull witted people can be saved by the Pure Land teaching. This teaching is based on the teachings of the masters of the Pure Land School.

If it were based on the teachings of other schools or branches, rebirth would be conditional. In those teachings you must satisfy specific conditions in order to attain rebirth. If one does not, one cannot be reborn. So, it is not ten thousand out of ten thousand. Thus, the other paths are surely not the Easy Path.

只要念念相續,十個人十個人往生,百個人百個人往生,也就是萬修萬人去。

所以,真正所謂「三根普被,利鈍全收,萬修萬人去」的淨土法門,就是指我們這個法脈而言的,他宗他派的淨土教理,必然有條件,合乎條件就能夠往生,不能合乎條件就不能夠往生,未必能夠萬修萬人去,因此必然不是易行道。

Namo Amituofo!

August 2, 2022

Aug 2, 2022

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

“Even ten times” means “name-recitation throughout one’s life”. “Even ten times” contains “the karma of assurance”. Why?

It is because “even ten times” is specified in accordance with Amitabha Buddha’s 18thVow; so, it is said that “name-recitation throughout one’s life” is the karma of assurance.

“Even ten times” also means “name-recitation throughout one’s life”. (It refers to those near the point of death.) Master Shandao says, “Ten out of ten, a hundred out a hundred, all those who recite Amitabha’s Name for the remainder of their lives will be reborn.”

(to be continued tomorrow)

「乃至十念」就是「念念不捨」;「乃至十念」就是「正定業」,為什麼?

因為「乃至十念」就是隨順阿彌陀佛的第十八願,所以說「念念不捨者,是名正定之業,順彼佛願故」。

「乃至十念」就是「念念相續」,善導大師說:念念相續,畢命為期者,十得十生,百即百生。

Namo Amituofo!

August 1, 2022

Aug 1, 2022

The 31 Verses Explaining the Amitabha Sutra from the “Praise of Dharma Practices”by Master Shandao

善導大師《法事讚》 轉《阿彌陀經》31偈語

7. A Verse Urging People to Renounce and Admire

Wishing to be reborn, wishing to be reborn

All sentient beings in the Three Domains have no wisdom. They keep on reincarnating within the silly Six Realms.

Kindheartedly, all Buddhas share the Dharma; but, sentient beings cannot understand it. It is as if they are deaf, blind, handicapped, or disabled.

When death suddenly comes, most people are trapped in their suffering. Their minds are in chaos, and they are shocked and fearful.

To let go of all worldly matters, family, and properties one should concentrate his mind and aspire to be reborn in the West, by reciting Amitabha’s Name without interruption, Manifested buddhas and bodhisattvas will parade in front of us,

Or they offer us the lotus altar and receive us with welcoming hands. When our life comes to its end, Amitabha Buddha will be there to receive us.

The multitudes should dedicate their merit, aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land, hold fragrant flowers in their hands, and always offer them to the Buddha.

7. 勸厭欣偈

願往生 願往生

三界眾生無智慧 惛惛六道內安身

諸佛慈心為說法 聾盲觝突伴不聞

忽爾無常苦來逼 精神錯亂始驚忙

萬事家生皆捨離 專心發願向西方

彌陀名號相續念 化佛菩薩眼前行

或與華臺或授手 須臾命盡佛迎將

眾等迴心皆願往 手執香華常供養

Namo Amituofo!

July 31, 2022

Jul 31, 2022

Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

Naturalness in Unconditioned Realm

It is just like being born as a celestial being, who innately possess the five kinds of paranormal powers without needing to learn and practice intentionally; or being born as a flying creature, who naturally knows how to fly; or being born as a sea creature, who can naturally swim without needing to learn or practice.

The Land of Bliss is a realm comprised of the unconditioned naturalness of Nirvana. Once reborn, a living being naturally realizes Nirvana without needing to learn or practice intentionally.

無為自然

猶如生為天人,不須假藉學習的造作功用,自然具足五種神通;生為飛禽, 也

不須假藉學習的造作功用,自然能夠展翅高飛;生為水族,亦不須假藉學習的

造作功用,自然能夠悠游深海。極樂世界是「無為自然的涅槃境界」,一旦往

生,不須假藉有為地造作、功用,而自然地證悟涅槃。這是「無為自然」。

Namo Amituofo!

July 30, 2022

Jul 30, 2022

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teachings about Faith in Pure Land

淨土信仰

(continued)

This Name is revealed from the pure and eternal Buddha Nature and True Suchness of Amitabha Buddha. It is unchanged and is always the same in the past, at present and in future.

Therefore, we can totally rely on reciting Amitabha’s Name, and receive Amitabha Buddha’s inconceivable merit and virtues. In this way, it can naturally eradicate all the dark karma accumulated during many lives, enable us to leave the endless cycle of reincarnation resulted from the karmic retribution, and be reborn in the Land of Bliss, where our Buddha Nature and True Suchness can be completely revealed. This is because all sentient beings have the Buddha Nature. Though they accumulate karmic offenses due to greed, hatred and delusion, their Buddha Nature is still intact and does not vanish.

這句佛號，是從阿彌陀佛清淨不變真如佛性所顯現，所以萬古不變。過去如此，現在如此，盡未來世，也是如此。

所以完全依靠阿彌陀佛的名號，領受阿彌陀佛不可思議的功德，自然可以消除我們生生世世以來黑暗的業障，使我們當生離開娑婆業報輪迴，往生極樂世界，顯現自我真如的佛性。因為一切眾生皆有佛性，雖然因貪瞋痴而造業造罪，不過佛性並未消失，也永遠不會消失。

Namo Amituofo!