Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Classification of Teachings – the Two Practices(Primary and Miscellaneous)
正雜二行判
The Five Paths of Invocation, clearly enumerated by Vasubandhu Bodhisattva in his Shastra on Rebirth, and the Five Primary Practices taught by Master Shandao are basically the same.
The Five Paths of Invocation are: the Path of Reverential Acts, the Path of Acclamation, the Path of Aspiration, the Path of Reflection, and the Path of Merit-Dedication. By practicing these five paths, one can expedite his rebirth in the Land of Bliss.
However, the Five Paths of Invocation are very advanced and more suitable for those with superior roots. If one cannot manage them properly, they may become a Difficult Path.
The Five Primary Practices are not just suitable for those of superior roots, they are also suitable for those of middle and lower roots. Thus, they can “universally accommodate all sentient beings.”
天親菩薩的《往生論》裏面明確地指出「五念門」,跟善導大師的「五正行」很雷同。「五念門」就是禮拜門,讚歎門、作願門、觀察門、迴向門,修這五門就可以快速地得生極樂世界。
但這「五念門」的道理非常微細,只適應上等根機的眾生,如果不能掌握得當,「五念門」也就成為難行道了。不如「五正行」,不但適應上等根機,也適應中下根,是所有眾生萬根都能夠契應的,真可說是「三根普被,利鈍全收,萬修萬人去」的法門。
Namo Amituofo!
