Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Classification of Teachings – the Two Practices (Primary and Miscellaneous)
正雜二行判
Apart from our Pure Land School, many other Pure Land schools also emphasize Amitabha’s deliverance. They also dedicate their merit and virtues to Amitabha Buddha, attempting to reach a certain level of cultivation in order to assure rebirth near the end-of-life.
They think Amitabha-recitation is the main cause, and other practices are supplementary causes. These two causes are like two wheels or wings, used to facilitate their rebirth. In this case, these practices are considered miscellaneous, not exclusive practice.
So, if we don’t understand the tenets of the Pristine Pure Land teaching, we may think: “ Because I am not sure of my rebirth, I have to wait until my skill in Amitabha-recitation reaches a certain level, to enable me to recite Amitabha’s name for rebirth despite being in a coma or ill.” Believing and practicing this way is equivalent to stabbing Amitabha in his chest.
如果不是我們這個淨土法門的話,其他的淨土法門,他們都強調固然有彌陀的救度,他們也還要有功德迴向給阿彌陀佛,或者自己要有某種功夫,這樣臨終時往生才可靠。
在他們的觀念中,念佛是正行,其他是助行,正助如車之兩輪,如鳥之雙翼,才能夠容易往生。如果是這樣的話,就是雜行,就不是專。
所以,倘若不瞭解我們這個純粹淨土教理的話,都抱著那種觀念,「我現在念佛往生還不能肯定,要等到我念佛功夫成片,夢寐一如,然後臨終能夠不昏迷、不病苦,還能夠念佛,這樣往生才可靠。」若抱著那種觀念,就像是拿一把刀插在阿彌陀佛的胸口上。
Namo Amituofo!
