The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
(continued)
Because I know that “I” am not a good ordinary being; yet, “I” am still included in “all good and evil ordinary beings.” Despite being an evil ordinary being, I am not excluded from Amitabha’s deliverance! This gives us great hope.
“All good and evil ordinary beings” of course includes - those who commit the Five Gravest Offenses, slander the Right Dharma, and have no virtuous roots. “Good” refers to those who try to uphold the Five Precepts and the Ten Wholesome Deeds. “Evil” includes those who commit the Five Gravest Offenses, the Ten Unwholesome Deeds, slander the Right Dharma, and have no virtuous roots. Those who truly have no virtuous roots deny and reject the retribution of good and evil.
(to be continued tomorrow)
因為,「我」即使不是「一切善惡凡夫」之中的善凡夫,可是也是屬於「一切善惡凡夫」之中的惡凡夫,儘管是惡凡夫也是往生有份的,並不因為是惡凡就在彌陀救度之外,所以給我們莫大的希望。
善惡凡夫也包含逆謗闡提,善有五戒十善,惡有五逆十惡。在這裡的惡,不但包含了十惡,也包含了五逆的眾生、謗法的眾生,甚至是一闡提的眾生,一闡提就是斷善根的意思,也就是他否定有善惡報應。所以「一切善惡凡夫」是含蓋著五逆、謗法、闡提的。
Namo Amituofo!
