Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Three Blessed Fields (continued)
Field of gratitude – is the gratitude to parents and teachers who nurture and educate us. In reference to gratitude to parents - water cannot drown it and fire cannot destroy it, it is higher than mountains, and deeper than oceans. Thus, it is described as “as vast as a limitless sky”. If we acknowledge their grace, offer thanks for their grace, and try to repay their grace, the blessings are abundant. If we forget that gratitude, turn away from that gratitude, or work against that gratitude, the karmic penalties will be very heavy.
Field of compassion – For those who suffer from poverty and sadness, one can gain blessings through almsgiving and being sympathetic to them.
三福田
恩田
父母師長,有養育、教誨之恩。父母之恩,水不能溺,火不能滅。父母之恩,比山高,比海深,所謂「昊天罔極」。若知恩、感恩、報恩,福德甚大;若忘恩、背恩、逆恩,罪惡極重。
悲田
於貧窮悲苦之人,悲愍之、布施之,能生福德。
Namo Amituofo!
