Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Paths (of Importance and the Great Vow)
要弘二門判
On Path of the Great Vow, the main cause of rebirth in the Pure Land is exclusive recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s Name. The content of the Great Vow can be fully accepted by all sentient beings in the ten directions when practicing the Pure Land Path. This is also the reason the Pure Land teaching is called the Easy Path, and is the body and substance of the Pure Land Path.
On the Path of Importance, the content of the meditative and non-meditative virtues are not the same as that of the Path of the Great Vow. Most people are unable to accumulate these virtues because the practices are quite difficult. Hence, it does not contain the body and substance of the Pure Land teaching.
往生正因是弘願門的專稱佛名;這是弘願的內容,也是十方眾生所堪,是淨土門之所以稱為易行道的原因,淨土一門的教體。
而要門的定善與散善不是弘願的內容,十方眾生大多不堪,是難行非易行,所以不是淨土門的教體。
Namo Amituofo!
