The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
How did Master Shandao explain "sincerely and joyfully entrust” in the 18th Vow? He said, “Call my Name”! He explained “wish to be reborn in my Land” as “vow to be reborn in my Land”. He explained “even ten times” as “call my Name, even ten times”.
This explanation is very simple, concise, and precise. It allows us to know what “sincerely and joyfully entrust” in the 18th Vow means, and what we should believe. It is actually to believe that all we need to do is “recite my Name”. This is because, by reciting Amitabha’s Name, and relying on the merit and virtues of his Name, we are assured of rebirth in the Land of Bliss.
So, whatever we believe, it does not exceed the content of “recite my Name”. If we depart from this content, it is not the “faith” of our School.
善導大師解釋第十八願,對第十八願的「至心信樂」如何解釋呢?解釋為「稱我名號」。「欲生我國」解釋為「願生我國」。「乃至十念」解釋為「稱我名號,下至十聲」。
善導大師這一種解釋,非常的簡單扼要明瞭,讓我們曉得第十八願所講的至心信樂,到底是信甚麼啊?原來是信「稱我名號」。
因為稱祂的名號,依靠祂名號的功德,就必定往生極樂世界。那我們的信,信來信去都不離開這個內容,如果離開這個內容,就不是我們這個法門的信。
Namo Amituofo!
