The 31 Verses Explaining the Amitabha Sutra from “ In Praise of Dharma Practices” by Master Shandao
善導大師《法事讚》 轉《阿彌陀經》31偈語
18. A Verse Advising Sentient Beings to Renounce Suffering
Wish to be reborn. Wish to be reborn.
Through teaching Sariputra [in the Amitabha Sutra], Shakyamuni Tathagata is actually teaching all suffering sentient beings.
The Six Realms in the Saha Land are not safe and peaceful for permanent residence. All ordinary beings there keep moving aimlessly in darkness, like dreaming in an endless night.
Though sacred and ordinary beings live together in the Land of Saha, they do not know each other. By easily getting angry, people are always fighting with each other and committing many offenses due to ignorance.
Because of ignorance, they are trapped with no freedom in the Six Realms. When can they treat each other equally, without discriminating between love and hatred, superiority and inferiority?
They do not have sufficient virtuous karma to eliminate the suffering of birth-and-death, and they are not aware of the retribution due to their karmic offenses resulting from greed.
Those beings who have the body of an ass wrapped with human skin will certainly be reborn in the animal realm or in the Three Wretched Realms.
Upon hearing and believing this, we are so sad that our hearts are broken. We vow to renounce all worldly glories immediately.
Let us hope that all sentient beings dedicate their merit and aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land. Let’s hold fragrant flowers in our hands and always make offerings to the Buddha.
18. 勸眾厭離苦偈
願往生 願往生
釋迦如來告身子 即是普告苦眾生
娑婆六道非安處 冥冥長夜闇中行
聖化同居不相識 動生瞋毒鬥無明
為此無明繫六道 愛憎高下何時平
既無善業排生死 由貪造罪未心驚
犯此人皮裹驢骨 三塗自入不須爭
我等聞之心髓痛 誓願頓捨世間榮
普願迴心生淨土 手執香華常供養
Namo Amituofo!
