The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
“There are many different ways to comment on and interpret the meaning of the Fundamental Vow; however, we should accept only Master Shandao’s explanation as our guide.” This is because Master Shandao’s explanations are simple and precise, clear and easy to understand. They are easy to interpret, easy to memorize, and easy to practice. The 18th Vow was originally clear and easy to understand. However, if it is presented in a manner that is too sophisticated,
people can not grasp its real meaning, and they develop biases. It should be clearly stated in the first place, then one can easily understand it. If it is overly interpreted and inflated with profound meanings, it becomes redundant and biased.
「本願註解,異義多端,唯應以善導之釋為其指南」,因為善導大師的解釋,簡明、扼要、明瞭,一看就容易理解,而且容易默記,容易行持。第十八願本來就很清楚很明白的,如果把它發揮得很玄奧,令人摸不著邊際,那其實就已經偏頗了。因為它是一目了然,當下可以明瞭、掌握的,卻作過多玄奧的解釋,恐怕就會變成畫蛇添足,走向偏離。
Namo Amituofo!
