Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
119 Namo Amituofo (continued)
“Amituo”should have originally been translated as “infinite”. Thetranslation of the name Amitabha originates with this phrase - “For what reason, Shariputra, do you think that Buddha is called 'Amitabha? Shariputra, that Buddha's light shines boundlessly and without hindrance over all the worlds of the ten quarters. It is for this reason that he is called Amitabha. “To continue Shariputra, the lives of the Buddha and the people of his land last for immeasurable, unlimited and incalculable kalpas. It is for this reason that the Buddha is called Amitayus.”
Thus, we know it is because his light and life are immeasurable that the Buddha in the Land of Bliss is known as “infinite”. Based on the definition above, “Amituo” can be translated as “infinite light and life”.
Nevertheless, sentient beings are generally more concerned about the length of their lives; so, ever since, “Amituo '' was translated as “Infinite Life”, or called Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Life. Master Shandao says in his Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra that “A” means “In”, “Mi” means “finite”, and “Tuo” means “Life. Putting the three syllables together, “Amituo” is translated as “Infinite Life”. Master Honen agrees with Master Shandao’s translation.
119 南無阿彌陀佛 (續)
關於阿彌陀,如果只看梵語的原意,應該翻譯為無量。《阿彌陀經》宣說阿彌陀佛之所以名為無量的理由,言:「彼佛何故號阿彌陀?舍利弗,彼佛光明無量,照十方國,無所障礙,是故號為阿彌陀。又舍利弗,彼佛壽命及其人民,無量無邊阿僧祇劫,故名阿彌陀。」
可見,極樂淨土之阿彌陀佛之所以名為無量,是因為其光明無有限量,壽命也無有限量。如果基於光明無量與壽命無量這兩點理由來翻譯的話,那麼阿彌陀也可以譯作無量光壽。
不過一切眾生最為看重的便是壽命,所以古來多從壽命這一角度出發將阿彌陀譯為無量壽,如《無量壽經》便將阿彌陀佛稱為「無量壽佛」。善導大師於《觀經玄義分》言「阿是無,彌是量,陀是壽」,將「阿彌陀」之三字與「無量壽」之三字相配屬;法然上人《大經釋》也說:「阿彌陀,此譯云無量壽。」
Namo Amituofo!
