Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Three Periods of Time –Proper, Semblance, Ending
There are three periods of time in the development of Buddhism. After the Buddha entered Nirvana, for 500 years the Dharma and rites were unchanged. There were teachings, practices, and practitioners who achieved enlightenment without Shakyamuni Buddha’s physical presence. This was called the Age of Proper Dharma.
One thousand years after the Buddha’s departure, the Buddhist teachings were gradually modified and updated. This Dharma was still similar to the Proper one. Thus, there were teachings and practices, but not many practitioners who reached enlightenment. So, it is called the Age of Semblance Dharma.
In another ten thousand years after the departure of the Buddha, the Dharma is weakening and ending. Thus, there are teachings; but, no one practices and no one reaches enlightenment. That is why it is called the Dharma Ending Age.
Master Daochuo says in the Collection on Peace and Joy, “Nowadays, it is the Dharma Ending Age, those living in this wicked world with the five kinds of turbidity have only the Pure Land teaching in order to gain access to and accomplish the Buddhist Way.”
正、像、末三時
佛教發展的三個時期。佛入滅後五百年間,佛雖滅度,法儀未改,有教、有 行、有證果者,為正法時代;其後一千年間,離佛已久,道化漸漸訛替,所行之法與正法相似,有教、有行,而多不能證果,為像法時代;其後一萬年間,離佛更久,法勢微末,有教、無行、無證果者,為末法時代。
道綽大師《安樂集》言:「當今末法,現是五濁惡世,唯有淨土一門可通入路。」
Namo Amituofo!
