Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Two Kinds of Deep Faith
Master Shandao says in the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, “The Deep Mind is one of deep faith.” He also says, “The Deep Mind is like a diamond that cannot be damaged or destroyed by those of different views, teachings, alternative interpretations, or practices.
He also says, “The Tathagata speaks of the sixteen contemplations not for the sake of normal ordinary beings; but, for the sages of the small and great vehicles.” This indicates that the Contemplation Sutra is a scripture that focuses on the teaching of rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land for ordinary beings.
“ Deep faith in aptitude” means: we deeply believe that we are ordinary beings without any causal conditions or the power to enable us to leave the Land of Saha. Because of this we must abandon all self-powered practices. It is similar to a poor villager who wishes to worship in the capital; but, he does not have enough money for the trip and has to give up his plan to go to the capital.
“ Deep faith in teaching” is to deeply believe in the vow power of Amitabha Buddha. The capacities of beings to be delivered is called their “aptitudes”, and the power of the Buddha’s vow of deliverance is called the “teaching”.
“Aptitude” is defined as “one’s capacity to change and move”, and the “teaching” bears the meanings of “determination and permanence”. Thus, in order to respond to the changing and moving “aptitude”, there must be a determinant and permanent “teaching” , which is the Buddha’s vow power.
The definition of “deep faith in the teaching” is the deep belief in attaining assured rebirth with recourse to Amitabha Buddha’s vow power. Relying on the Buddha’s power is like riding on a vehicle or sailing on a ship. We have to allow our body weight to be supported by the vehicle or ship. It is the same as having deep faith in the teaching. We have to entrust ourselves to Amitabha Buddha in the great matter of rebirth in the Land of Bliss.
121 二種深信
善導大師《觀經疏》說:「言深心者,即是深信之心也。」又說:「此心深信,猶若金剛,不為一切異見、異學、別解、別行人等之所動亂破壞。」又說:「如來說此十六觀法,但為常沒眾生,不干大小聖也。」顯示《觀經》是為凡夫開說往生彌陀淨土之法的經典。
機深信所要表達的是深信自身是不具有出離因緣之眾生,是於出離輪迴、解脫生死全無任何能力之眾生,從而使得我們捨棄依靠自力修行了脫生死的想法。這就如同某位鄉下貧窮的信徒想要前往參詣位於京城的本山,但因家中並無足以充作其旅費之用的錢財,於是其前往京城的想法便只得作罷。
法深信指深信阿彌陀佛願力。被救度之眾生被稱為機,而能救度的佛之願力則被稱為法。機含有能變、能動之義,法則含有一定、不變之義;為了與能動、能變之機相對應,才將一定、不變的佛之願力命名為法,所以深信佛之願力才被命名為法深信。
法深信之相是深信乘佛願力,定得往生。乘是乘托之義,如同乘船、乘車時將自身全體之重量完全交予船或車;法深信亦是如此,深信佛之願力,將自身往生極樂之大事完全交託於阿彌陀佛。
Namo Amituofo!
