Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Five Defilements
The Amitabha Sutra says, “Shakyamuni Buddha, you have accomplished an extremely difficult and unprecedented task. In this Saha world, during the evil period of the five defilements -- those of time, views, passions, sentient beings, and life-span – you have attained the highest, perfect Enlightenment.”
Defilement of time – because of being born in the Dharma-Ending Age, starvation, pandemics, and wars come one after the other. Many sentient beings die due to these sufferings. There is never any lasting peace.
Defilement of views – secular views are not correct because they deviate from the right path. All of these views vary and never reach a consensus.
Defilement of afflictions – people are excessively greedy for belongings and the satisfaction of sensual desires. Their anger leads to arguments. Their delusions lead to frequently telling lies.
(to be continued tomorrow)
五濁
《阿彌陀經》言:「能於娑婆國土五濁惡世 ── 劫濁、見濁、煩惱濁、眾生濁、命濁中
,得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。」
劫濁:生當末世,饑饉、疾疫、刀兵等相繼而起,生靈塗炭,永無寧日。
見濁:世人知見不正,不奉正道,異說紛紜,莫衷一是。
煩惱濁:世人貪於愛欲,瞋怒諍鬥,虛誑不已。
Namo Amituofo!
