Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Classification of Teachings – the Two Practices (Primary and Miscellaneous)
正雜二行判
There are five kinds of Primary Practices. Three of them (sutra-recitation, observation, and prostration) and the last two (acclaiming and making offerings) are related to Amitabha Buddha and the Land of Bliss. However, none of these is the practice specified in Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, and why they are called “supportive karma”. Only name-recitation is the karma for assured rebirth, as specified in Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow. That is why it is called the “karma of assurance”.
Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean the Supportive Karma is unimportant. The purpose of the Supportive Karma is to give all Pure Land practitioners clear direction, in order to accept the Karma of Assurance, and exclusively recite Amitabha’s name. So, its ultimate aim is to directly guide practitioners to accept the Karma of Assurance . Thus, if we don’t know the meaning of the Karma of Assurance, we need the Supportive Karma. If we do know, we should put the Supportive Karma aside and exclusively practice the Karma of Assurance. By simply and exclusively reciting Amitabha’s Name, one’s rebirth is assured, because it accords with Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow.
正行有五種,其中前三(讀誦、觀察、禮拜)後一(讚歎、供養),皆與阿彌陀佛及極樂淨土有關,故名正行;然畢竟非彌陀本願之行,故名「助業」,唯有「稱名念佛」是彌陀本願所誓必得往生淨土唯一之業,故名「正定業」,所謂「依佛本願故」,其餘為助業。然此助業並非稱名正行之念佛功德薄少,需要助業補助,助業之目的乃是要給淨宗行者指出直達正定業之方向,引導行者專依正定業之念佛,其最終目的是要直取正定業。故若未知正定業之義,則須助業;若已知正定業之義,則應傍置助業,專行正業;只要專稱佛名,必得往生,順彌陀本願故。
Namo Amituofo!
