Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Embrace and Transformation by the Name in the form of Light
“Embrace and transformation by the Name in the form of light” refers to Amitabha Buddha; who delivers, transforms, and embraces sentient beings with his Name in the form of light. Master Shandao says in the Praise of the Rites of Rebirth, “Amitabha Buddha made a profound, weighty vow to embrace all beings with his light and transform them with his name. He asks only that they have faith, aspire to rebirth in the Pure Land, and recite his name. Whether one recites for an entire lifetime, ten times, or even just once, rebirth is easy because of the power of Amitabha’s vow.”
Amitabha Buddha made 48 great vows in his causal ground. His 18th Vow is by far the most important for us. In it he promises to embrace and transform all sentient beings in the ten directions with his Name in the form of light. In this way he enables them to recite his Name with confidence. This Name is like a treasure chest. You can reach in to grasp what you want, no matter whether they are benefits for the present life or for the future life. You can get them by reciting the Name.
(to be continued tomorrow)
光號攝化
「光號攝化」,就是阿彌陀佛以他的光明和六字名號來攝化、救度眾生。
善導《往生禮讚》云: 彌陀世尊,本發深重誓願,以光明名號攝化十方,但使信心求念;上盡一形,下至十聲、一聲等,以佛願力,易得往生。
阿彌陀佛因地發下四十八大願,尤其第十八願,以光明名號來攝化十方所有眾生,使十方眾生有信心稱念這句名號,不論是現世利益還是當來利益,這句名號就像百寶箱,可以任運、隨意地支取,要支取多少,都可以以念佛為之。
Namo Amituofo!
