Saturday, July 15, 2023

July 5, 2023

Jul 5, 2023
Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識



To Renounce the Defiled Land and Admire the Pure Land

The Smaller Sutra says, “All sentient beings who hear this teaching should aspire to be reborn in that land.”

“Those who hear of that land should aspire to be born there.”

“ Good men and women who have faith in Amitabha should aspire to be reborn in his land.”

The Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra says, “All Buddhas appear in the world to advise and deliver sentient beings through various expedient means. They do not ask them to refrain from doing evil and to cultivate worldly blessings, in order to enjoy human and heavenly happiness. Human and heavenly joys last only as long as a flash of lightning. They will have to be renounced in a short while, when they have to return to the Three Wicked Realms, and suffer once again for a long period of time.

“Because of their causal conditions, [the Buddhas] advise and urge them to aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land, and look forward to unsurpassed Enlightenment / Bodhi. That is why I take this opportunity to urge you to vow to be reborn in the Pure Land. This is known as the original

intent of all Buddhas.”

(to be continued tomorrow)

厭穢欣淨

《小經》言:「眾生聞者,應當發願,願生彼國」

「聞是說者,應當發願,生彼國土」

「若有信者,應當發願,生彼國土」。

《觀經疏》言:「諸佛出世,種種方便,勸化眾生者,不欲直令制惡修福受人天樂也;人天之樂,猶如電光,須臾即捨,還入三惡,長時受苦。為此因緣,但勸即令求生淨土,向無上菩提。是故今時,有緣相勸,誓生淨土,即稱諸佛本願意也。

Namo Amituofo!