Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Faith in Pure Land Buddhism
淨土信仰
The Bodhi Mind is a Buddhist term that is commonly used in both the Sacred Path and the Pure Land Path. Its meaning in the latter case is “the mind of aspiration for rebirth”, which is our Bodhi Mind. If the Bodhi Mind of the Sacred Path were the benchmark set by Amitabha Buddha, we would be hopeless! If only those who can set forth this kind of Bodhi Mind can be reborn, then we have to carefully examine our capacities – can I really set forth that kind of Bodhi Mind? For instance, in practicing the Four Great Vows, what should we do if we find our speech and conduct always violate the Four Great Vows?
That is why the Bodhi Mind of the Pure Land Path is different from all other schools. Aspiration for rebirth is the Bodhi Mind of the Pure Land Path. Why? Because then “We are not afraid of our poor capacities when preaching the Dharma; but, only afraid of failing to become a Buddha.” Because, by becoming a Buddha, we can then more easily deliver sentient beings. “We are not afraid of failing to become a Buddha; but, afraid of failing to attain rebirth.” This is because it does not make any sense that those who are reborn cannot become Buddhas!
So, all of these matters are included within rebirth. This is the meaning of “let’s aspire to be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy together”.
「菩提心」是一個共用的名詞,聖道門在用,淨土門也在用,但淨土門的意思是「願往生心」,願往生心就是我們的菩提心。如果阿彌陀佛有一個標準說要我們發聖道門的菩提心,那我們沒希望了!
若是只有發那種心的人才能往生,不能發的就不能往生,那我們檢討自己,我們真的發了菩提心嗎?比如,每天都在念「四弘誓願」,可是檢討自己的言行又每每違背四弘誓願,那怎麼辦呢?
所以淨土門的「菩提心」,它的語意內容跟各宗各派的「菩提心」不同,願往生心就是淨土門的菩提心。為什麼呢?「不怕自己不會說法度眾生,只怕自己不成佛」,成佛一定會度眾生;「不怕自己不會成佛,只怕自己不能往生」,哪有往生不能成佛的呢?
所以一切都在往生的當中具足,這就是「同發菩提心,往生安樂國」的意思。
Namo Amituofo!
