Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
116 Taking Refuge (continued)
In Pure Land teaching, there are also three interpretations of “taking refuge”.
First, “taking refuge” is interpreted as “returning to, listening to, abiding by, and relying on the requirements of the Buddha.” “Taking refuge” is to listen to and abide by Amitabha’s requirements. ”Namo” is taking refuge in, listening to, and abiding by the requirements of both Shakyamuni and Amitabha. Thus, it absolutely means to: listen to, abide by, and to rely upon the requirements of the Buddhas.
In Chinese, “taking refuge” is composed of two characters. The first refers to the one who returns, and the second refers to the requirement we return to. In this respect, the second is connected to the first. So, when combining the two characters, it means the one who returns to the requirement. It represents a form of deep faith or deep mind.
In the parable of “ The Two Rivers and the White Path”, written by Master Shandao in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, he says: a person walking towards the west hears a person on the east shore (Shakyamuni) saying “If you continue on this path, you are assured of avoiding any threat of death.”
He also hears another being on the west shore calling, “ if you continue straight ahead and maintain right attention with singleness of mind, I will protect you.” You will never be at the mercy of the dangers of the water (greed) or the fire (hatred).”
This person believes those who are calling from the two shores and is not frightened by the two rivers (of water and fire). He continues walking along the narrow white path between the two rivers. So, taking refuge means to listen to and abide by the requirements of Amitabha and Shakyamuni.
(to be continued tomorrow)
116 歸命 (續)
淨土宗對歸命的解釋有三種。
第一種是將歸命解釋為歸順、歸依佛之敕命。所謂「歸命者,順彌陀之敕」、「南無即是歸命,歸命即是順釋迦、彌陀二尊之敕命。」亦即,歸是歸順、歸之義,而命指如來之命令,所以歸命也就是絕對服從、歸依於佛之命令。
將歸命二字分開解釋時,歸是能歸,命是所歸;但是當歸命這兩個字被連在一起使用時,「命」則攝於「歸」,此時歸命二字全部成為能歸,此處之歸命指深信之相。
善導大師於《觀經散善義》之二河白道喻中,謂向西而去之行人聞東岸人(釋尊)之勸聲「汝尋此道行,必無死難」,又聞西岸有人(彌陀)喚言「汝一心正念直來,我能護汝,眾不畏墮於水火之難」。
此人信靠東西兩岸的遣喚之聲,不畏水火二河,循二河中間之白道向前行進。故歸命即是服從歸命於彌陀之敕命、服從歸命於二尊之敕命。
Namo Amituofo!
