Voice of Master Jingzong - Q and A about the Purpose of Life
淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答
(continuation of the answer to Q16 - 4/6)
In the Pure Land School, there are people who believe they need to include the practices of the Path of Importance in order to be reborn in the Pure Land. They may have many reasons to leave the mundane world, in order to focus on their cultivation of the Buddhist precepts and meditation, etc. However, exclusive Amitabha-reciters, on the Path of the Great Vow, don’t need to do this. They can be more optimistic and happy to benefit people in the mundane world.
All Buddhists should strive to change their pessimistic thinking, by understanding more about the Bodhisattva teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, and particularly the compassionate deliverance of Amitabha Buddha. We should try to bring peace and joy to suffering sentient beings in the spirit of the Buddha.
To benefit others, we have two approaches, one is worldly and the other is transcendental. The former includes helping the poor, making donations, protecting the environment, caring for seniors, etc. However, our ultimate goal should be to urge them to recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name and aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land. In doing so, we are being true disciples of the Buddha.
(to be continued tomorrow)
在淨土門之內,要門、雜行之人,或許還有那種為了修行而消極逃世的理由;作為弘願專修念佛之人,沒有這樣的想法,更要積極入世,利及眾生。所以,佛弟子一定要改變世人對佛教這種消極逃世的看法。要改變這種看法,就要從我們佛法修學的理論,以及我們的行持、我們的認識開始做起,尤其要從我們每一個仰仗佛願的念佛人開始做起。這才能真正地行大乘菩薩道,
在這個世間高揚佛陀的精神,給苦惱的眾生帶來究竟的清涼和安樂。我們積極地利世,也不過是兩方面:一個是世間法,以示世間眾生,比如扶貧、救濟、環保、養老,這都可以做;但是所做的這一切,歸根結底還是要歸到勸眾生念佛往生。因為這個世間都是無常敗壞的,一切世間的善法,只是結下一個緣分,要引導大家共同嚮往淨土。這才能展示一個佛弟子,尤其是大乘念佛人光明、積極、上進的一面。
Namo Amituofo!
