The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
(continued)
Based on these criteria, Master Shandao possessed all the necessary qualifications. He was exclusive in practicing the Pure Land teaching, and, at the same time, his teachings were influential, deep, and vast. Because he promoted Amitabha-recitation for rebirth throughout most of his life, the capital (Zhang-an) was filled with the sounds of Amitabha-recitation, and almost all of the butchers there lost their jobs. From that, we know Master Shandao was proficient in his practice and in teaching others to believe.
Master Shandao wrote five books in nine fascicles, purely based on the three Pure Land scriptures. He especially emphasized Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow - the 18th Vow. What he taught was unprecedented. Systematically and logically, he compiled and organized the dogmas of Pure Land teaching, so that people would be able to establish new Sanghas with reference to them.
就此而論,善導大師具備這個條件標準。因為善導大師他本身專修淨土,同時他的教化非常的廣遠,在當時由於善導大師提倡念佛往生,使得長安城充滿念佛聲,甚至賣肉的生意蕭條,可見善導大師自修化他,自信教人信的深廣。
善導大師對這個法門有「五部九卷」的著作,這五部九卷都是純粹依據淨土的經典,尤其是依據彌陀根本的願心──第十八願開展出來的;且所開展的,是發前人所未發,將淨土的教理,有系統的組織起來,使淨土宗教理能夠系統化、邏輯化,也使得後來的人可以依據他的教理去創建一個宗派。
Namo Amituofo!
