The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
The practice that Master Shandao emphasized is “the recitation of Amitabha’s Name in accordance with his Fundamental Vow”. This is very different from other masters who talked about Amitabha-recollection as the Real Mark in contemplation, accumulation of merit and virtues, the accomplishment of various spiritual skills, etc. It is based on the Fundamental Vow that Dharmakara Bodhisattva, an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha, made to deliver all sentient
beings in the causal ground. Thus, by simply practicing the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name, one can be reborn in the Land of Bliss with reliance on Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow. Thus, it is called “name-recitation in accordance with the Fundamental Vow”. It means, if we practice name-recitation in accordance with the Fundamental Vow, we are assured of rebirth in the Pure Land.
善導大師所說之念佛,與其他諸師所說之實相、觀想或累積功德、成就工夫之念佛不同,而是「本願念佛」,是以阿彌陀佛於因位名為法藏菩薩之時所發起救度一切眾生之「本願」為其基礎,只要稱名念佛便是乘上彌陀本願而被救往生彌陀淨土,此謂之「本願念佛」,亦即依「本願念佛,必生淨土」。
Namo Amituofo!
