The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
The Samadhi of Buddha-Recitation is taught in relation to the Samadhi of Buddha-Contemplation. In order to contemplate the Buddha, one must be proficient in meditative practices. The Buddha taught us to practice in the following order: Sun contemplation, Water contemplation, Miscellaneous
Contemplations and ultimately reaching the Samadhi of Buddha-Contemplation.
However, Amitabha-recitation does not require any proficiency in meditative practices; so, it does not belong in the same category as the meditative “Samadhis.” Master Shandao used the word “Samadhi” as a form of praise. This means that all of those who recite (including ordinary beings), even though they are not proficient in meditative practices and haven’t experienced purity of mind, the functional capacity of Samadhi resides within the name. Thus, Master Shandao says, “ this shows that the Samadhi of Buddha-Recitation is transcendent and has an absolute functional capacity.”
「念佛三昧」是跟「觀佛三昧」相比較的。要觀佛,必需要有三昧的定功才能成就,無論是開始的「日想觀」「水想觀」,還是最後的「雜想觀」,都要有定的功夫,因此觀佛叫「觀佛三昧」。
但是念佛不是定功,應該不屬於三昧,而善導大師在這裏卻以「三昧」來讚歎,也就是說,能念者——我們念佛的凡夫雖然心不能入定,沒有定的功夫,不能達到清淨心,但所念佛號的本身是有三昧的功能在裏面的,所以善導大師才說:「正顯念佛三昧,功能超絕」。
Namo Amituofo!
