The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
Ever since that time, most Buddhists eventually accept this teaching, recite Amitabha’s Name, and return to the Pure Land. Thus, as we see, the Pure Land teaching is thriving in China. However, no one there can establish a Pure Land school. Though Master Shandao initially constructed the dogmas of the Pure Land teaching, there are no successors to further expound it.
Master Honen deeply respected Master Shandao, and he diligently studied all of the Five Books and the Nine Fascicles written by Master Shandao. Based upon his deep study and practice, he was able to distill the essence of those teachings and wrote a book called “the Collection on Choosing Amitabha-Recitation in Accord with the Fundamental Vow”. In that work, he further systematized the theology of Master Shandao’s literary works.
So, if we are not wise enough, yet wish to read Master Shandao’s Five Books and Nine Fascicles, we may not fully understand the principles, core teaching, and aim of the theology of Master Shandao. However, if we start with “the Collection on Choosing Amitabha-Recitation in Accord with the Fundamental Vow”, we may more clearly understand the core teachings and the aim of Master Shandao, as easily as seeing the palm prints of our hands.
中國自古以來,大多數學佛人最後還是念佛歸向淨土的,所以淨土法門在中國佛教是一枝獨秀,可是並沒有人能夠創立一個淨土的宗派出來,雖然善導大師已經將淨土教理初步建構完成了,但是後繼無人,沒有人把它進一步開展。
法然上人獨尊善導大師,他將善導大師的所有著作「五部九卷」完全消化後,提煉出最精純的部分,寫成這一本《選擇本願念佛集》,可以說《選擇本願念佛集》是把善導大師的著作思想,進一步系統化的組織。
所以,我們如果直接去看善導大師的五部九卷,若是智慧不足,反而會看不出善導大師思想的宗旨、核心和目的。若是由法然上人的《選擇本願念佛集》下手,那麼善導大師的思想核心,善導大師的目的,善導大師的法是什麼,就像看我們手掌中的掌紋一樣,瞭如指掌。
Namo Amituofo!
