Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation
Part One - Benefits in the Present Life
第一部分 有關現世利益
Question 6. There is a “True Word (Dharani) for Eradication of Definitive Karma” by Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. Though we recite Amitabha’s Name, we should also recite Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha’s “True Word,” if we wish to eradicate karmic obstructions. Is this correct?
Answer: That is incorrect! Reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha can also eradicate karmic obstructions. For factual evidence, please read the Third Collection of the Accounts of benefits obtained through Amitabha-Recitation. All the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have merit and virtues that can eradicate karmic offenses.
The merits and virtues of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva are inconceivable; however, as compared with those of Amitabha Buddha, the latter contains a million billion times more. A treatise says, “To recite Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s name for one great eon is not equal to one recitation of Namo Amitabha Buddha.”
The Infinite Life Sutra says, “Amitabha Buddha’s merit and virtues are unsurpassed and foremost in light. They cannot be exceeded by the Buddhas in the ten directions. Reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha is like sunlight clearing darkness, while reciting other Buddha’s and Bodhisattva’s names is more like moonlight clearing darkness.
6問:地藏菩薩有滅定業真言。雖修念佛,欲求消業必須念地藏菩薩,對嗎?
答:不對!念阿彌陀佛同樣消業。《念佛感應錄》第三集〈念佛消業〉之各篇皆為實證。佛菩薩名號皆有功德,有功德所以能消罪業。
地藏菩薩功德實是不可思議,但較之阿彌陀佛,仍不可為比千萬億倍。《群疑論》說:「一大劫念地藏菩薩,不如一聲念阿彌陀佛。」《無量壽經》說,阿彌陀佛功德無上,光明第一,十方諸佛所不能及。念阿彌陀佛消業,如日光消暗;念地藏等其他佛菩薩消業,如月光消暗。
Namo Amituofo!
