The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
Master Shandao is the synthesizer of the Pure Land teaching, and well-known as an incarnation of Amitabha. A beam of light emitted from his mouth with every recitation of Amitabha’s Name.
Every syllable of Amitabha’s Name is encircled by his light. Master Shandao’s explanation of the 18th Vow is very concise and precise, full of masterful insights and inspiring words. All of his sentences reveal the Buddha’s compassionate mind, and all of his words emit light.
If, when I achieve Buddhahood, sentient beings of the ten directions who wish to be reborn in my land and recite my name, even ten times, should fail to be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.
Today Amitabha is before us, having achieved Buddhahood. We should know that his Fundamental Vow has been unequivocally fulfilled. If sentient beings recite his name, they will certainly be reborn in the Land of Bliss.
This 48-word explanation of Amitabha’s 18th Vow is the foundation of the Pure Land School. It is the benchmark, anywhere in the world and in any period of time. Following it, one hundred out of one hundred and one thousand out of one thousand can be reborn. Discarding it, it is difficult for even one or two out of a hundred, or three or four out of a thousand to be reborn.
善導大師是淨土法門的集大成者,世稱「彌陀化身」;每念佛一聲,便有一道光明從其口出,聲聲佛號,聲聲光明。善導大師對第十八願(本願)有非常簡明扼要,立論堅確不移,語出警悟十方,句句顯佛悲心,字字皆放光明的解釋。
若我成佛,十方眾生,稱我名號,下至十聲,若不生者,不取正覺;彼佛今現,在世成佛,當知本誓,重願不虛,眾生稱念,必得往生。
此「四十八字願成釋」可謂淨宗宗憲,放之四海皆準,俟之百代不惑。依此,百即百生、千即千生;捨此,百中難得一二,千中難得三五。
Namo Amituofo!
