Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
101.Amitabha’s Great Vow has a Different Intent
Amitabha Buddha set forth his vows while in his causal ground, which was different from the causal grounds of all other Buddhas in the ten directions. The Infinite Life Sutra says, “ The vows I have made transcend all others. Most important among them is his 18th Vow, which transcends the vows of all of the Buddhas in the ten directions. No other Buddha made a Vow of this magnitude before. Moreover, Amitabha devoted countless eons to his practice and accumulation of immeasurable bodhisattva virtues.
Thus, the direct and circumstantial rewards accomplished by Amitabha Buddha are different from all other Buddhas in the ten directions. That is why he is called Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Infinite Light.
Moreover, all Buddhas make general and specific vows. However, the 18th Vow made by Amitabha, is the most profound and far-reaching among all of the specific vows made by other Buddhas. This is why Amitabha is known as the Buddha of the Great Vow.
101 別意弘願之佛
阿彌陀佛因地所發的願，和十方諸佛因地所發的願是不同的。《無量壽經》說：「我建超世願」。因此，阿彌陀佛所成就的正報、依報，自然與十方諸佛所成就的有所不同。因此，成了佛之後，就稱為「阿彌陀佛」，這就是「別意弘願」。
又，諸佛所發的願，有總願，有別願，而阿彌陀佛所發的別願，又是諸佛別願中之別願，特別弘廣深重，所以稱為「別意弘願」。
Namo Amituofo!
