Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
118 Amitabha Buddha (continued)
Moreover, Dharmakara Bodhisattva realized full enlightenment by attaining infinite light and infinite life, which are the accomplishments of his great vows (12th and 13th vow). Though the merit and virtues of all Buddhas are boundless, the description of Amitabha’s merit and virtues employs the metaphors of infinite light and infinite life. So, these two characteristics are highlighted in order to represent all other merits and virtues.
With respect to the individual benefits, infinite light refers to the realization of infinite perfect wisdom, and enlightenment to ultimate truth. Infinite life refers to the realization of the eternal Buddha body, which is detached from birth and death forever. So, nothing is more splendid than the two virtues with respect to self-benefiting.
With respect to benefiting others, Amitabha’s infinite light refers to the boundless benefits in the ten directions he bestows horizontally. Infinite life refers to the unlimited teachings he shares vertically, during the three periods of time. Amitabha’s infinite life is dedicated to delivering sentient beings. Thus, in terms of benefiting others, no powers can be more splendid than these two.
As said above, infinite light and infinite life transcend all other merits and virtues in terms of self-benefiting and benefiting others. So, all other merits and virtues are included in these two virtues realized by Amitabha. These two kinds of virtues are wonderful aspects of the self-realization of Amitabha Buddha, and, at the same time, they are also the fundamental way he delivers sentient beings in the ten directions. That is to say, the great vows of light and life are fundamental aspects of Amitabha’s great compassion. It explains why Amitabha Buddha saw his vows of infinite light and infinite life as fundamental to his deliverance of sentient beings.
118 阿彌陀佛 (續)
再者,阿彌陀佛也是以光明無量與壽命無量為自己成佛所證之果,阿彌陀佛光壽無量之佛身是由這兩條願所成就的。佛之功德無量無邊,不可計數,本不限於光壽二種無量,但再無其他功德勝於此光壽二種無量,所以才特別舉出這二種功德以指代其他功德。
此光壽二種無量,如果從自利的層面來說,光明無量指證得無限之正智,覺悟究竟之真理;壽命無量指證得常住不變之佛身,永遠離於生老病死。可見,在自利之德中再無有勝於此二德者。
從利他這一層面來說,所謂「光明無量者,橫顯十方利益無邊;壽命無量者,豎示三世化導無限」,光明無量是在空間上顯示照攝十方世界利益眾生無所障礙,壽命無量是在時間上顯示救度眾生無所障礙。所以在利他之德中也無有勝於此二種功德的。
如上所述,正是因為光壽二種無量不論是在自利的層面還是在利他的層面上,都超勝於其他功德,所以才以這二種無量來指代其他功德,為彌陀自證之果。
可見,此光壽二種無量不僅是阿彌陀佛自證之妙果,同時也是其救度十方眾生的大根大本,可謂「光明壽命之誓願,為大悲之本」,說明以光明無量與壽命無量這兩願為阿彌陀佛救度眾生的根本(參照無量光佛、無量壽佛)。
Namo Amituofo!
