Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Merit-Dedication of Other-Power (continued)
Merit-Dedication of Vow Power means the power of the 18th, or Fundamental Vow, that Dharmakara Bodhisattva made while in his causal ground. In total he made 48 vows for delivering sentient beings. Just as Master Shandao says in his “In Praise of Pratyutpanna”, “Every single vow was made for sentient beings”. This indicates that Dharmakara made vows and practiced for sentient beings while in his causal ground; and, as Amitabha, transferred the merit and virtues of his vows and practices to sentient beings in the ten directions. All of this is to enable them to attain rebirth and become Buddhas.
Merit-Dedication of Buddha-Power means the fruition of Amitabha Buddha’s awesome and majestic power. The Contemplation Sutra says, “Light permeating the worlds in the ten directions, embracing Amitabha-reciters without forsaking”. Since Amitabha became a Buddha, his light permeates the worlds in the ten directions. For those who haven’t recited Amitabha’s Name, his light can nourish them and help the seeds of their Buddha nature to germinate so they begin reciting. This light embraces and protects those who recite, and enables them to be reborn. Though the causes and effects are different, the meaning of merit-dedication is the same. If there were no such merit-dedication, we would have no teaching of Amitabha-recitation.
(to be continued tomorrow)
他力迴向
「願力迴向」,指「阿彌陀佛因位之本願力」。彌陀因中,為救度眾生而發四十八大願,故善導大師《般舟讚》說:「一一誓願為眾生」。意指彌陀因位之時,為眾生發願修行,將其願行功德迴向給十方眾生,令諸眾生,往生成佛。
「佛力迴向」,指「阿彌陀佛果上之威神力」。《觀經》說:「光明遍照十方世界,念佛眾生攝取不捨」。彌陀成佛之後,光明遍照十方世界,未念佛者,則煦育熏發,使其念佛;已念佛者,則攝取照護,接引往生。因果雖殊,迴向之義相同。若無此迴向,即無念佛法門。
Namo Amituofo!
