General Confusions and Misunderstandings by Amitabha-Reciters in regard to Rebirth By Master Jingzong
淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識
#2 - “If you don’t recite the Sutras and Dharani to clear your karmic obstructions, you cannot be reborn even by Amitabha-recitation.” Is this true?
Comment:
Rebirth only depends upon the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name with faith and aspiration. It does not rely upon the aspirant’s ability to eradicate his own karma. Even if it is eradicated, it is solely through the power of the Buddha’s Name. Moreover, for eradication of karmic obstructions, the power of Amitabha-recitation is far greater than that of Sutra-recitation.
Sutras and mantras that are recited by householders - the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Ksitigarbha Sutra, the Chapter on the Universal Door in the Lotus Sutra, the Amitabha Sutra, the Infinite Life Sutra, the Chapter on Amitabha-Recitation by Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta in the Surangama Sutra, the Chapter on the Practices and Vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra in the Flower Adornment Sutra, the Mantra of Great Compassion, the Mantra of Rebirth, the Mantra of Vajrasattva, etc.
Recitations result in merit and virtues that can eradicate karmic obstructions; but, none of them is greater in merit and virtues, or more powerful for eradication of negative karma than that of Amitabha-recitation. The Contemplation Sutra says, “By hearing the twelve divisions of the Sutras, karmic offenses for a thousand eons are cleared, however, by reciting the Buddha’s Name just once, karmic offenses for 5 billion eons are immediately cleared.
When practicing Amitabha-recitation there is no need to add sutras and mantras, even if one feels Amitabha-recitation is insufficient. One should not think that reciting a sutra can enhance the merit and virtues of the Name. All of these are mistaken understandings.
(to be continued tomorrow)
淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識
其二 - “不念經咒消業障,念佛也不能往生。” 真的嗎?
答:往生靠的是信願持名念佛,不靠消業往生,即使消業也是靠佛號的力量。即使消業障,念佛也比念經念咒的力量大。
居士們常念誦的經咒有《心經》、《金剛經》、《地藏經》、《法華經普門品》、《阿彌陀經》、《無量壽經》、《楞嚴經勢至念佛章》、《華嚴經普賢行願品》、《大悲咒》、《往生咒》、《金剛薩埵心咒》等等。
念誦它們都有功德,都能消業障,但是都沒有念佛的功德大,消的業障多,《觀經》說:聞經十二部,但除千劫罪;稱佛一聲,即除罪五十億劫。
念佛之外再誦別的經咒,或者覺得念佛不穩當,覺得念佛還有所不足,認為多讀誦能夠增加這句名號的功德,這也是錯誤認識。
(再續)
Namo Amituofo!
