Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – Other-Power and Self-Power
淨宗判教 – 自他二力判
The term “self-power” refers to the general and common teachings. What is meant by “self-power”? It is “self-power” within “other-power”. ”Other-power” refers to Amitabha’s deliverance. Originally, Amitabha’s deliverance was based entirely on Amitabha’s power. However, those who practice the general and common teachings don’t understand this principle. They think: although Amitabha Buddha delivers us, he is in a high position and far away in the West, we lowly beings must bow to him and beg him from afar.
Though they beg for rebirth, they still think they need to practice and accumulate merit and virtues, and reach a certain level of proficiency in the practice of name-recitation. They believe they need to dedicate their practice, merit, and virtues in order to be delivered by Amitabha Buddha.
They also think: Though Amitabha Buddha delivers us, we have not sufficiently satisfied these conditions, and cannot be delivered. This is known as “self-power” within “other-power”. They think Amitabha’s deliverance is conditional! Those with this view do not correctly understand name-recitation “even ten times” as stated in the 18th Vow.
(to be continued tomorrow)
自力的稱名,就是一般通途的稱名。什麼是自力呢?也就是「他力中的自力」。「他力」就是指彌陀的救度,本來彌陀的救度是彌陀的力量,通通具備了,可是我們不曉得那個原理,以為阿彌陀佛雖然要救我們,可是祂高高在上,遠在西方極樂世界,我們低低地在這裏頂禮,遠遠地在這裏祈求。
雖然要求往生,卻認為必須積功累德,或累積稱名的功夫、功德,這樣迴向才能與阿彌陀佛的救度相應。
認為說「雖然阿彌陀佛要救度我們,可是我們如果沒有具備某種條件,是不能被救度的」,這是「他力中的自力」,以為阿彌陀佛是有條件的。這不是第十八願的「乃至十念」的稱名念佛。
Namo Amituofo!
