The Patriarchal Lineage of the Pure Land Teaching - Master Shandao
善導大師
There is a saying: “Upon entering the eye root, it plants a seed of the Way”. Reciting the Short Teaching is like planting seeds in a field. They will germinate until the flowers blossom and the fruit ripens.
Remembering Master Shandao’s interpretation of the 18th Vow enables us to enhance our wisdom, faith, and Dharma joy. This is because, in order to understand the meaning of the 36-character 18th Vow, we need the transmission of Dharma light. Otherwise we will misinterpret it, even if we follow the interpretations of other patriarchs and masters.
Master Shandao paid the most attention to Amitabha’s 18th Vow, and commented on it many more times than the other 13 patriarchs in China. Master Yinguang also commented on it, but not as understandably.
有一句話說:「一入眼根,永為道種」,背誦法語,就好像種子落在田地裡,有一天就會開花結果。
將善導大師對第十八願的解釋法語背在腦海中,會讓我們增長智慧、增長信心、增長法喜。因為,第十八願這三十六個字到底是什麼意思,如果沒有傳承,以我們自己的理解來解釋的話一定會錯誤,或者依其他祖師大德的解釋也會錯誤。
自古以來,淨土宗祖師解釋第十八願最多的就是善導大師,最重視第十八願的也是善導大師,可以說,漢傳佛教的十三位淨土宗祖師當中,唯有善導大師最重視第十八願,對第十八願有那麼多的解釋的,其他祖師幾乎都沒有;印光大師雖也有,但是不明顯。
Namo Amituofo!
