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)
It is the same as saying, “When I become a Buddha, there will be none of the Three Wretched Realms in my land. It is my original aim to bear all of the offensive karmas of sentient beings in the Three Wretched Realms; so, you need not worry at all that your karmic offenses may prevent you from being reborn. You should deeply believe without any doubt; but, at the same time, you should try your best to discipline yourselves by refraining from doing evil and practicing good. Because of our habitual behaviors, we all find it difficult to stop doing evil. However, at least you can try to stop committing the heavy transgressions, such as the Five Gravest Offenses, or slandering the right Dharma. If you don’t care enough to try to refrain from committing these two serious categories of offenses, you still have no excuse for not being able to be reborn in my land. These are the words of caution in the last part of the 18th Vow – Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offences and abuse the right Dharma.
這等於是說:「我成佛時,國無三惡道,本來就是要承擔眾生三惡道的罪業,所以,你們絲毫不必擔心自己罪業太重而不能往生,反而要深信無疑;但也要謹慎,從今以後,要盡力收束自己的罪業,儘量去惡行善,固然因為造惡成習而難以全部制止,但至少至少不能造五逆、謗法的重罪,如果不收攝、不謹慎,犯此二罪,即是罪不可宥,不能往生我國。」這就是第十八願最後的抑止──「唯除五逆,誹謗正法」。
Namo Amituofo!
