General Confusion and Misunderstandings by Amitabha-Reciters seeking Rebirth in the Pure Land - By Master Jingzong
淨宗法師談念佛人的糊塗認識
# 8 – “ Since exclusive Amitabha-recitation, with faith and aspiration, enables me to attain rebirth in the Pure Land; I need not abide by the precepts because my karmic offenses will not affect my rebirth.” Is this correct?
Comment:
Master Shandao criticized this point in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra saying: this person still clings to the concept of blessings and offenses. They believe that cultivating for blessings are wrong and committing offenses is right. Holding this deviant view, they proclaim that their devout faith is the cause of rebirth, and it doesn’t matter if they are iniquitous ordinary beings. Thus, they commit offenses without shame and say, “ we are practitioners of the “other-power” teaching, and our rebirth is assured with recourse to the vow power of Amitabha Buddha.” In fact, they misinterpret Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow and will descend further, even though they seek transcendental ascent.
A person who studies and practices according to Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow should know he is an iniquitous ordinary being, who should regret and repent, be humble and gentle, and should try to refrain from evil and increase his good acts. We should not break the bones of our legs because there is a god-like doctor who can perfectly reset our broken bones. Shakyamuni Buddha emphasizes the Middle Way; so, Buddhists should not go to extremes. When Amitabha - Buddha says blessings and offenses are not taken into account for rebirth through Amitabha-recitation, it does not mean the Buddha is encouraging people to commit offenses and perform evil. We are ordinary beings who prefer to take the easy way out and fall into the trap of duality.
淨宗法師 - 念佛人的糊塗認識
其八: “既然信願念佛就可以往生,那麼就不必持戒,造點罪業也沒有關係。” 對嗎?
答:
這個善導大師在《觀經疏》中專門作了批判:此等之人,猶在問罪福之中,以修福為非,造罪為是。執此邪見,自謂信心決定,是淨土之因。亦有稱自身是罪惡凡夫故,放縱三業,任情為惡,都無慚愧。故言:“我實他力行人,乘佛願力,定得往生。”如此等輩,與彌陀本願不相應,可謂“欲求超升,反更沉淪”。
學本願之人,既知自己是罪惡凡夫,則生慚愧懺悔,心存謙卑柔軟,而思棄惡行善。我們不能因為有了能令“破鏡重合”的神醫存在,而故意砸斷自己的腿,去讓神醫再接。佛法是中道法,不能走極端,說念佛可以不問罪福往生,不是鼓勵人去造罪作惡,我們凡夫之人就喜歡從反面去思考,落入二元對立中。
Namo Amituofo!
