Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – Other-Power and Self-Power
淨宗判教 – 自他二力判
“Being delivered by Amitabha”is genuine. It can break through our heartfelt doubts and uneasiness, to assure us that we are embraced by Amitabha’s light and never forsaken. This holds true as soon as we believe in and accept Amitabha’s deliverance, even if we are in a coma.
Moreover, Amitabha’s life is always in our minds. We and Amitabha Buddha are united in one body. So, whenever and wherever we take our last breath, under any circumstances, we will be reborn.
If a person thinks he cannot be reborn while in a coma, and he must rely on Amitabha-recitation near the end-of-life for rebirth, then he is regarded as relying on his own merit, virtues, and proficiency in Amitabha-recitation. This is called “self-power within other-power”. It is not truly the Pure Land teaching.
所謂被彌陀救度,是彌陀真實的救度,打破我們內心的懷疑不安,使我們從信受的那個時候開始,就在彌陀的光明裏面,攝取不捨,即使昏迷,還是攝取不捨。
同時,彌陀的生命也就在我們的心中,沒有離開,我們跟阿彌陀佛就是一體的,所以,你什麼時間、什麼地方、什麼情形之下斷氣,都是往生極樂世界。
如果認為說,昏迷了不能念就不行,必須是靠臨終念佛,那是「他力中的自力」——靠自己念佛的功夫、功德來祈求彌陀迎接,來迴向往生。那就不是我們淨土法門的內涵了。
Namo Amituofo!
