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 - 5/6)
A basic teaching in the Pure Land School is renouncing the Land of Saha. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that we can’t find any happiness or meaning in our present lives. Actually, knowing we will be reborn in the Pure Land at the end of this life, can fill us with new hope and delight. It is like a poor man who lived in a slum area suddenly inheriting a big estate and a great deal of money. He is so happy he invites all of his relatives and friends to come and live with him.
The “renunciation”of this world by an Amitabha-reciter, and our aspiration for and faith in our rebirth, can give us a very positive attitude. Though he has a strong sense of impermanence, he will not wish to end his life because he feels it is meaningless, or that he wants his life to be longer only if he earns lots of money in the stock market.
Master Yinguang said, “I’d like to live for 120 years; but, I won’t mind if I die tonight.” Our lifespans are the result of our past karma, causal conditions, and the influence of Amitabha’s wisdom. We recite Amitabha’s name every day and urge others to also recite. In this way, we are always prepared, whether we live one day or longer. This mind never changes.
(to be continued tomorrow)
淨土宗當然是厭離娑婆,以此作為一個基本的信仰點;但這種厭離娑婆,不是那種覺得人生無味、無意義,要自殺的那種消極負面的厭離。它是充滿著生命的新希望,對淨土充滿著憧憬,就要去成佛,這種喜悅、歡快的心情。
就像一個窮人,本來住在貧民窟裡,現在突然有一大筆遺產,莊園非常的富貴豪華;他要離開這個貧民窟,去到他的莊園,這種歡樂踴躍的心情;同時這個大宅子,非常大,他所有的親戚朋友都可以住得下,他當然很歡喜地邀請所有的人,“跟我一道去我們家住吧!”
念佛人的這種“厭”,它的底色是明朗的,它是厭當中有欣求,有喜樂;他在這個世間所展現的,不是那種很負面、消極的生命,也不會對壽命特別地看重,或者說一定要急切地“今晚就斷了命去吧!”有人這樣想,往往也是一種無常心,現在覺得沒意思了,就要快點去;如果股票漲了,什麼都好了,他就覺得還可以再多活幾年,這些心情都不定的。把這些看明白,以一種隨緣盡分的心情,能活多久就活多久。
就像印光大師所講的,“活一百二十歲也行,今晚死了也可以”,這就是一切盡過去的宿業力,也是隨順彌陀智慧善巧的安排,也看我們跟眾生的因緣。活一天,就念一天佛,就勸人念一天佛,此心常保不變。
Namo Amituofo!
