Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Two Benefits (in the Present Life and in the Next Life)
“Present” is the present life and “next” is the next life. The “two benefits” refer to the two kinds of benefits, one being the safety and stability of our physical bodies and spiritual minds in the present life, and the other being rebirth in the Pure Land at the end-of-life.
The two benefits (in the present life and in the next life) relate to Amitabha-recitation. These two kinds of benefits are included in Amitabha’s Name, and in the single practice of Amitabha-recitation. To practice the teachings of other Buddhas or reciting their names to accumulate other virtues, such as: reciting the Chapter on the Universal Doors, the Diamond Sutra, the Sutra on the Master of Medicine, or reciting the name of the Master of Medicine, one can gain a single benefit in the present life. It is only Amitabha who possesses the two benefits, in the present life and in the next life.
現當二益
「現」是現世,「當」是當來,「二益」是兩種利益。「現當二益」即指現世身心安穩,臨終往生淨土這兩種利益。
現當二益即是念佛,此兩種利益都攝在一句名號當中,攝在念佛一行當中。修持餘佛餘行,如修持《普門品》《金剛經》《藥師經》、稱念藥師佛等, 也都能獲得「現世一益」;但獨有「現當二益」,是唯有彌陀才擁有的。
Namo Amituofo!
