Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Sacred and Pure Land Paths
淨宗判教 – 聖淨二門判
The Sacred Path is a teaching of “self-powered” cultivation. It means, realizing the fruit through one’s own capacity, by practicing the Six Paramitas and accumulating a myriad of virtues. It requires repeated rebirths as a human being in the Six Realms, life after life. However, it is only suitable for those with the aptitudes of sacred beings. Thus, it is regarded as a “difficult practice.”
On the other hand, the Pure Land Path is the teaching of faith in “other-power”. If a person exclusively recites Amitabha’s Name in this Land of Saha in the present life , he will be reborn in the Land of Bliss, and realize that fruit. It is regarded as an”easy practice” that is appropriate for ordinary beings.
聖道門是「自力修行」之教，就是期望能以自己的力量，生生世世於六道中不失人身，修行六度萬行以證果，但這只有聖者的根器才能，故謂之「難」。
而淨土門則是「他力信心」之教，今生此時於娑婆世界一向念佛，往生極樂淨土以證果，這是凡夫所堪，故謂之「易」。
Namo Amituofo!
