Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Namo Amituofo - the Six-Character Name
“Namo” is usually added in front of the Buddha’s name when one recites it, like Namo Shakyamuni Buddha, Namo Vairocana Tathagata, etc. It simply expresses the reciter’s internal mind, her reverence for the Buddha and her desire to be delivered. However, “Namo” is not considered a part of a Buddha’s full name.
Generally, people consider Namo Amitabha Buddha and Namo Shakyamuni Buddha to be equal, and they agree to add the prefix “Namo” to the name of Amitabha Buddha. In the Pure Land School, “Namo Amitabha Buddha” is considered the full name.
In the Infinite Life Sutra it says, “When I attain perfect Enlightenment, my name will contain Infinite Life. Sentient beings who hear my name and exclusively recite it will be reborn in my Buddha-land.” In the Amitabha Sutra, it says, “there is a Buddha in that land, called Amitabha”. Thus, the name of that Buddha consists of the four characters , “Amitabha”.
In the Pure Land School it is correct to understand Amitabha’s name as being composed of 4 characters; however, with respect to recitation of the name, “Namo Amitabha Buddha” (the six-character name) is appropriate.
As far as the Buddha’s body is concerned, it is fine to use just 4 characters in spelling Amitabha’s name. These refer to his 12th Vow(Infinite Light) and the 13th Vow (Infinite Life). Amitabha instilled them in his body and they are why he is called the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life.
(to be continued tomorrow)
119 南無阿彌陀佛- 六字名號
在稱念佛的名號時要在前邊冠以「南無」二字,如「南無釋迦牟尼佛」(《法華經》卷六如來神力品)、「南無大日如來」等。這裡之所以要特別冠以南無二字是稱念佛名之人為了表白其內心、表白其對佛的禮敬與對救度的渴望,所以不能將南無也作為佛名的一部分。
一般也的確會將南無阿彌陀佛之六字與南無釋迦牟尼佛等名號等量齊觀,認為是在阿彌陀佛名號之前冠以南無二字而成為南無阿彌陀佛的,但在淨土宗的教義中,卻是以南無阿彌陀佛六字全體作為阿彌陀佛名號的。
可是《無量壽莊嚴經》卷中言「我若成正覺,立名無量壽,眾生聞此號,俱來我剎中」,《阿彌陀經》亦言「其土有佛,號阿彌陀」,似乎又是以阿彌陀佛之四字為其名號。
在淨土宗的教義體系中,以阿彌陀佛之四字為阿彌陀佛名號也並無不可,只是說從完整的教義而言,應以南無阿彌陀佛六字為佛的名號也是可以的。
這是因為,如果單就佛體而論,那麼的確應該以阿彌陀佛四字作為佛的名號,畢竟第十二願誓願光明無量,第十三願誓願壽命無量,而阿彌陀佛光壽無量之佛體便是酬報此二願而成,所以如果僅就佛體而論,那麼的確應該以含有無量光與無量壽的阿彌陀佛這四字作為佛的名號。
Namo Amituofo!
