Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Buddha of Infinite Life (continued)
Differences and similarities between the Buddha of Infinite Life and other buddhas from the passage on attestation in the Amitabha Sutra.
In the passage on attestation in the Amitabha Sutra: the Buddha of Infinite Life, the Buddha of Infinite Marks, the Buddha of Infinite Canopies, the Buddha of Great Light, the Buddha of Great Brightness,etc. are mentioned.
Is this Buddha of Infinite Life the same as Amitabha Buddha? There have been many discussions on this subject. In his commentary on the Amitabha Sutra Master Kuiji said, “ there should be a group of Buddhas who praise. However, it is also appropriate to praise Amitabha by one’s self.”
Master Yuanzhao said, “There are many Buddhas with the same name, so it may not be the one who was previously Dharmakara bodhisattva.”
Master Yuanshin said, “It should be Buddhas with the same name.”
Master Yongguan said, “It is difficult to know. However, it is common that the Buddha praises himself for the sake of attracting sentient beings.”
Master Falin said, “In the Infinite Life Sutra the hBuddha’s manifested body is praised as the Fundamental Buddha.”
Master Taoyin and Master Shenli felt that they should be different Buddhas with the same name.
(to be continued tomorrow)
120 無量壽佛 (續)
與《阿彌陀經》證誠段之無量壽佛的同異在《阿彌陀經》的諸佛證誠段中提到西方世界有無量壽佛、無量相佛、無量幢佛、大光佛、大明佛等諸佛,各於其國出廣長舌相,稱讚、證誠阿彌陀佛。這當中的無量壽佛其方位與佛名都與阿彌陀佛相同,古來關於兩者之間同異的討論便一直存在。
窺基於《阿彌陀經通贊疏》卷下舉出同、異兩說,言:「據其文勢,即是諸佛稱讚。又設若自讚,於理何違?引轉眾生,令生勝意。」
元照於《阿彌陀經義疏》言「同名甚多,必非極樂法藏所成之彌陀」,源信於《阿彌陀經略記》言「多有同名之阿彌陀」,主張同名異體。
永觀於《阿彌陀經義記》舉出源信之說,言:「是義難知。設雖化主證明,復有何失?為引眾生,稱揚自德,此諸佛之常途也。」
法霖於《阿彌陀經聖淨決》認為西方證誠段之無量壽佛乃是化身讚歎本佛。
道隱之《阿彌陀經增明記》以及深勵之《阿彌陀經講義》都主張同名異體,兩者都引證了《不可思議諸佛所護念經》卷下(隋闍那崛多譯)所列舉得西方六十三佛,其中阿彌陀佛出現了三次,但他們認為第十三西方安樂世界阿彌陀如來是被稱讚的阿彌陀佛,其他則是能稱讚的阿彌陀佛,所以主張這兩尊佛是同名異體的。
Namo Amituofo!
