Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
To abide by the Buddha’s teachings, the Buddha’s instructions, and the Buddha’s wishes
If we exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name and aspire to be reborn in his Pure Land, we are practicing three kinds of acceptance:
To practice the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha in the Contemplation Sutra, we should discard the two practices of meditative and non-meditative virtues, and exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name. This is abiding by the Buddha’s teachings.
It also means following the instructions of all Buddhas in the ten directions (in the Amitabha Sutra)that rebirth is assured by the mere recitation of Amitabha’s Name. This is following the instructions of the Buddhas.
Furthermore, it means following “wish to be reborn in my Land, even ten times” as stated in the 18th of Amitabha’s 48 vows, in the Infinite Life Sutra. This is also following the Buddha’s wishes.
隨順佛教、佛意、佛願
我們如果專稱彌陀佛名、願生彌陀淨土的話,就是有三個隨順:隨順釋迦牟尼佛在《觀經》所教導,就是最後捨定散二善而專稱彌陀佛名,這是隨順佛教;也是隨順十方諸佛在《阿彌陀經》所證誠的只要念佛必定往生,這就是隨順佛意;也是隨順《無量壽經》四十八願之中第十八願所講的「欲生我國,乃至十念」,這是隨順佛願。能夠這樣的話,才能成為真佛弟子。
Namo Amituofo!
