Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Elimination of the Settlement of Mind
Master Shandao focused on Amitabha’s 18th Vow on many occasions in his work entitled, “The Five Volumes and the Nine Fascicles.” His explanations using 48 Chinese words indicate the root, the core and the essence of Amitabha’s 48 vows. That is why it is so famous and acclaimed among Buddhist works. The 48 word explanation in Chinese is as follows:
If, when I achieve Buddhahood, sentient beings of the ten directions who recite my name, even ten times, should fail to be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.
Today Amitabha is before us, having achieved Buddhahood. We should know that his Fundamental Vow has been unequivocally fulfilled. If sentient beings recite his name, they will certainly be reborn in the Land of Bliss.
The text can be divided into two parts. The first 24 words explain the 18th Vow, and the last 24 words explain the accomplishment of the 18th Vow. In the first part of the explanation, the settlement of mind is eliminated.
“The settlement of mind” refers to “to sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves and wish to be reborn in my land”. These are called the “Three States of Mind”, also known as the “Threefold Faith”.
(to be continued tomorrow)
略安心
善導大師最重視阿彌陀佛四十八願當中的第十八願,其五部九卷很多地方都在解釋第十八願,其中的「四十八字願成釋」,顯示四十八願的根本、核心、精華,所以特別有名,也特別受讚歎。四十八字願成釋之文:
若我成佛,十方眾生,稱我名號,下至十聲,若不生者,不取正覺;彼佛今現,在世成佛,當知本誓,重願不虛,眾生稱念,必得往生。
此文可分成前後兩段,前面二十四個字解釋第十八願,後面二十四個字解釋第十八願成就文。前段解釋是略過了「安心」,「安心」是指第十八願之「至心、信樂、欲生我國」,稱為「三心」,也叫作「三信」。
Namo Amituofo!
