Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Paths (of Importance and the Great Vow)
要弘二門判
From the passage separating the teachings into the Path of Importance and the Path of the Great Vow, we learn that the aim of the Contemplation Sutra is to explain the deliverance of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow. It clearly indicates that, all those who wish to be reborn in the Pure Land of Bliss, must entrust themselves to the deliverance of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow.
All those who entrust in the deliverance of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, regardless whether they are good or evil, will enter the supreme and wonderful reward land, a realm of unconditioned Nirvana. There they will realize the ultimate fruits of infinite light and life, the same as Amitabha.
This is actually the objective of the 18th Vow, the King of the Vow among Amitabha’s 48 Vows. It is like water flowing through various streams and returning to the ocean, the moon’s light descending without detaching from the sky. If they depart from Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, sentient beings in the ten directions would have no way to enter the Pure Land and become Buddhas. In this teaching Master Shandao completely reveals the meaning of Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow and Shakyamuni’s original intent.
由「要弘二門判」之文便可窺知《觀經》目的在於闡揚彌陀本願之救度,明示凡欲往生極樂淨土者,都必須乘託彌陀本願之救度,無一例外。
凡乘託彌陀本願之救度者,不論善人惡人,皆入彌陀無為涅槃之高妙報土,皆與彌陀同證光壽無量之最上極果。
此即是《大經》阿彌陀佛四十八願之中本願王──第十八願的宗旨。猶如水流原歸海,月落不離天;遠離彌陀本願大海,十方眾生即無歸處。彌陀本願,釋尊本懷,善導大師在此予以顯露無遺。
Namo Amituofo!
