Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
116 Taking Refuge
“Namo” is a Sanskrit word, which can mean “taking refuge”; but, there are multiple meanings for the word “Namo”.
In the past, there were three interpretations of “taking refuge”:
First, it was interpreted as “to return one’s life to the Buddha”, as said by Master Huiyuan and Master Yuanxiao in their commentaries on the Treatise on Arousing Faith in the Mahayana.
Second, it is interpreted as “to return to and abide by the doctrinal teachings of the Buddha”, as said by Master Xianshou in his commentary on the Treatise on Arousing Faith in the Mahayana.
Third, it is interpreted as “to return to the source or origin of life”, as said by Master Xianshou in his commentary on the Treatise on Arousing Faith in the Mahayana.
(to be continued tomorrow)
116 歸命
歸命翻譯自梵語「南無」。南無在梵語中有很多意思,在被譯作歸命之後其解釋也有多種。
古來對歸命的解釋大致有三種。
第一種是將歸命解釋為將自身之生命歸投於佛,如淨影寺慧遠於《起信論疏》上言「內正報中,命根為要,故舉要命屬彼三寶,名之為歸」,元曉於《起信論疏》上言「一身之要,唯命為主,萬生所重,莫是為先,舉此無二之命以奉無上之尊,表信心極,故言歸命。」
第二種是將歸命解釋為歸順佛之教命,如賢首於《起信論義記》上言「歸是敬順義,命謂諸佛教命,此明論主敬奉如來教命,傳法利生。」
第三種是將歸命解釋為還歸生命之本源。如元曉於《起信論疏》上將歸命解釋為還源,言「眾生六根從一心起,既背本源,馳散六塵;今舉命根總攝六情,還歸一心之源,故曰歸命。」
Namo Amituofo!
