Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
111 According to others’ needs and according to one’s own wishes
There are two ways to share Buddhist teachings, one is according to others’ needs and the other is according to one’s own wishes. The former is: because sentient beings have had certain experiences and possess certain beliefs, the Buddha will wisely speak according to their needs and aptitudes. However, in this case, the truth cannot be fully revealed; so, the Buddha must eventually speak according to his own wishes in order to guide them to the full truth.
Understanding this, Master Shandao draws the most important conclusion in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra - Though the preceding passages spoke of the merits of the meditative and non-meditative virtues, the Buddha’s underlying wish is that sentient beings exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name.
In the Contemplation Sutra the Buddha reveals his teachings in the following sequence - meditative virtues, non-meditative virtues, the Three Meritorious Acts, Nine Levels of Rebirth, and ultimately the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name.
His original intent is to lead us to the“exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name”. The 13 contemplations, the non-meditative virtues, and the Three Meritorious Acts, are not the practices specified in the Fundamental Vow.
Because the Buddha understands the tendency of sentient beings to be attached to their own power, he doesn’t want to rebuke or discourage them, so he says, “Your belief is just fine. You can still be reborn if you dedicate your merits. However, if you exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name, it accords with the Buddha’s Fundamental Vow.”
The purpose of sharing the Dharma according to others’ needs is to eventually guide them to the Dharma according to the Buddha’s wish.
111 順他意與順自意
佛講法有順自意,有順他意。眾生有這樣的想法,佛就隨著眾生的心委婉地講,這叫順他意。因為直接講真實,眾生不能接受。但是,老是順著他意,真實即不能顯現,所以到最後要把眾生引導過來,隨順佛的自意。
善導大師在《觀經疏》中作了一個最重要的結論:「望佛本願,意在眾生,一向專稱彌陀佛名。」佛講《觀經》時有個次第,一開始講定善、散善、三福九品,到最後說一向專稱無量壽佛。
他的本懷是「一向專稱」,是要我們十方眾生都來一向念佛的;修定善十三觀、散善三福九品,非佛本願。
但明白眾生自力執著習慣了,不好一下子都破斥掉,所以才說:「這個也好,也無妨,迴向也可以往生;不過呢,如果念佛,更是佛的本願!」
順他意的目的,是要導引到順自意來。
Namo Amituofo!
