Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
117 Buddha (continued)
We ordinary beings are not enlightened; so, “self-enlightened” is said in order to differentiate a Buddha from ordinary beings. “Enlightening others” refers to teaching others various truths.
Though Srakavas and Pratyekabuddhas can be self-enlightened, they cannot enlighten others; so, there are said to be the Two Vehicles.
“Enlightening others” is said for the sake of differentiating it from the Two Vehicles.
Perfect and complete enlightenment is the same. It doesn’t matter if it's through self-enlightenment. It is perfect and complete with nothing missing.
Within it, awakening unsurpassed wisdom and becoming enlightened regarding ultimate truths are regarded as “perfect and complete self-enlightenment”. When great kindness and compassion are added, through equally enlightening all sentient beings, it is considered “perfect and complete through enlightening others''. Though bodhisattvas practice both “self-enlightenment” and “enlightening others”, they are not considered as perfect and complete as a Buddha. So, “perfect and complete enlightenment and cultivation” are used for the sake of distinguishing the enlightenment of a Buddha from that of a bodhisattva.
According to Master Huiyuan’s explanation, one must fully satisfy all three requirements in order to be called a Buddha, an enlightened being. So, a Buddha is: one who reveals the ultimate truths of the universe and this Dharma Realm, and enjoys infinite blessings and virtues. At the same time, he diligently delivers other sentient beings in the realms of delusion, so that all of them can become great sacred beings like him. So, a scripture says a Buddha is a “greatly honored enlightened being”.
(to be continued tomorrow)
117 佛
我等凡夫尚未自悟,所以這裡的「自覺」是為了與凡夫相區別。覺他指教導他人,使他人也覺悟真理。
聲聞、緣覺雖已自覺,但並不覺他,所以為簡別二乘,才說覺他。
覺行窮滿即不論自覺還是覺他,都已圓滿,無所欠缺。
其中,開無上之大智慧、悟得究竟真理,此為自覺圓滿;具足大慈悲心、平等開悟一切眾生,此為覺他圓滿。菩薩雖自覺覺他雙行,但尚未圓滿;為了顯示佛超勝於菩薩,所以才說覺行圓滿。
按照慧遠之說,要完備以上三義,無一欠缺,才能被稱為佛陀,即覺者。如此看來,所謂佛陀,也就是在自身已覺悟宇宙法界之究竟真理、並享受無量福德的同時,依然努力救度其他一切迷界眾生,使此等眾生與自身一樣同證菩提的大聖人。如《心地觀經》卷一中稱佛陀為「大覺尊」,《大乘起信論》將佛陀稱為「救世大悲者」。
Namo Amituofo!
