Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
107 Inhibiting and Embracing for Those of the Lowest Level in the Low Tier
The Contemplation Sutra talks about rebirth in nine levels, and says people of the lowest level in the low tier will blossom and see the Buddha after 12 eons. Hence, people wonder: If people of the lowest level in the low tier attain rebirth through Amitabha-recitation, why not those in the highest level in the high tier? It takes 12 eons for them to blossom. That seems way too long.
There are two answers to this question. One is inhibiting and the other is embracing. That is to say, those of the lowest level in the low tier are sentient beings who commit the Five Gravest Offenses and the Ten Unwholesome Deeds, and they cannot be delivered by any of the Buddhist practices of the “Difficult Path.” Hence, they are doomed to fall into Avici Hell after death.
However, by merely reciting Amitabha’s name several times, they can escape Avici Hell and reincarnation within the Six Realms, and attain rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land. This is called “embracing.”
“Inhibiting” is taught by Shakyamuni Buddha as a way of “subduing”. It is an expedient means for preventing sentient beings from committing the Five Gravest Transgressions and the Ten Evil Deeds. If we commit the Five Gravest Transgressions and the Ten Evil Deeds during our lives in the world, we will be imprisoned within a lotus flower for 12 eons even if we can be reborn. This is a solemn warning called “inhibiting”.
“Inhibiting on one side and embracing on the other” reflects Amitabha Buddha’s wisdom and compassion. Amitabha never forsakes any human beings, and all can eventually be rescued.
107 下品下生的抑與攝
《觀無量壽經》說九品往生,其中的「下品下生」,要歷經十二大劫才花開見佛。於是就有人懷疑:下品下生是念佛的,怎麼他們不在上品上生,而在下品下生?而且還費時十二大劫?
其實,這有「抑」與「攝」的含義。
也就是說,下品下生──五逆十惡的眾生,是任何法門都不能救度、當下就要墮入阿鼻地獄的;只是念著幾句佛號,不僅脫離阿鼻地獄、六道輪迴,而且得以往生,這就是「攝」,也就是「救度」。
「抑」,是從降伏的立場來講,是釋尊為了讓我們眾生不造五逆謗法之罪而方便解說的。人生在世,不要造五逆十惡,否則即便往生,會有十二大劫在蓮花當中。這是鄭重的告誡,就是「折」。
一抑一攝,充分體現阿彌陀佛的智慧與慈悲:於諸眾生,永不棄捨,終能救拔。
Namo Amituofo!
