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 Sutras and Dharani to clear your karmic obstructions, you cannot be reborn even by Amitabha-recitation.” Is this true?
Comment: (continued)
One ought to know that Amitabha’s Name is omnipresent, and comprised of infinite light and infinite life. It cannot be further enriched, even by all other Buddhas. The Name contains all sutras and mantras. If we think “it is probably insufficient”, we are only needlessly confusing our minds. Being complicated, non-exclusive and non-pristine, is a sign that our faith is not yet deep. It reflects a lack of understanding and a mind of doubt.
Our School sometimes refers to “rebirth bearing karma”, and sometimes to “rebirth with karma eradicated”. According to the teachings of Master Shandao, it should be “rebirth with karma eliminated”. In the Contemplation Sutra, it says, “By reciting one single Name – Namo Amituofo, the offenses causing birth-and-death for 8 billion eons will be eliminated.” Amitabha Buddha appears and says, “You are a good man! Because you recite my Name, all of your offenses are eliminated. Now, I am transporting you to my Pure Land”. This is known as “rebirth with karma eliminated”.
Master Yinguang also had an explanation, which is quite easy to understand. He said, “Our karmic offenses are like snowflakes, while Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Bliss is like a huge furnace. The snowflake carrying our karma immediately disappears when it gets close to the furnace. So, as soon as we arrive in the Pure Land of Bliss, all of our karmic offenses are gone. This explanation is the same as that of Master Shandao.
Whether it is “rebirth bearing karma” or “rebirth with karma eradicated”, it is a matter for Amitabha Buddha. If it is carried, it is Amitabha Buddha who carries it for us, because it is too heavy for us to manage. If it disappears, it is not because our karmic obstructions are eradicated by our own efforts in refraining from greed, hatred and delusion; but, because of Amitabha Buddha’s Name in the form of light.
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:(續上)
須知阿彌陀佛這句名號是貫通天地的、無量光、無量壽的名號,連諸佛都不能增加,這個名號裏面什麼經咒都有,如果覺得“可能還有所不足”的話,這樣,我們的心就是雜。有雜、不專、不純一,就是信仰不深入,就是不瞭解,就是懷疑心,這樣往生不定。
我們淨土法門或說“帶業往生”,或說“消業往生”。如果依善導大師的思想是“滅罪往生”。《觀經》裏邊就講:稱念一句南無阿彌陀佛,能夠除滅八十億劫生死之罪。阿彌陀佛顯現出來就跟他說:“善男子,以汝稱佛名故,諸罪消滅,我來迎汝。”所以是“滅罪往生”。
印光大師他也有解釋,很好懂,他說:我們的罪業像一片雪花,阿彌陀佛極樂淨土像一個大冶洪爐。我們的罪業、這片雪花的罪業,還沒有接近這個洪爐,當下在空中就化掉、沒有了。所以,我們到極樂世界,一旦到達淨土,所有的罪業沒有了、消失掉了──這跟善導大師的解釋也是一樣的。
不管是“帶業往生”,還是“消業往生”,這個都是阿彌陀佛的事情,如果講“帶業”,也是阿彌陀佛為我們帶,我們帶不動。如果講“消業”,也不是我們自己做到沒有貪嗔癡了、業障消除了,還是阿彌陀佛這句名號──光明名號,消除我們的罪業。
Namo Amituofo!
