Common Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Dedication of Other-Power
(continued)
Sentient beings who are drowning in the sea of suffering have been entangled in their afflictions for countless eons. If they solely rely on their own power, they have no way to liberate themselves, no capacity at all. The only way that can rescue them from suffering must be simple and easy-to-do, and only relies upon Amitabha’s Other-Power. So, it is not difficult to understand Amitabha Buddha’s intention in dedicating his Other-Power. It says, “I shall become a great benefactor to save the poor and afflicted everywhere.”
Since Amitabha made his vows to become a great benefactor while in his causal ground, he continues to enact those vows forever. As said in the Great Sutra, “If a person hears the Buddha’s name, rejoices and recites it even once, you should know that this person has received the utmost benefit, which is to possess supreme merit and virtue.” Why does that person rejoice? It is because he receives the utmost benefit, which is to possess supreme merit and virtue.
Bodhisattva Vasubandhu says in the Treatise on Rebirth, “Observing the power of Amitabha’s fundamental vows, [I find that] those who encounter it never come up empty-handed. It enables rapid fulfillment of the great treasure ocean of merit and virtues.” This indicates that a person who encounters the power of Amitabha’s fundamental vows has already attained the great treasure ocean of merit and virtues.
125 他力迴向
無始以來常沉沒於生死之苦界、為罪業所纏縛之眾生,依憑自身之力是無論如何也無法解脫的,因此可以說這種眾生是完全不具備解脫的能力的。而想要使這種不具備解脫能力的眾生也能夠獲救、而且是簡單易行的方法,便唯有依靠外力之施予此一途。如此便不難發現,「不為大施主,普濟諸貧苦」是在彰顯他力迴向之意。
因為在阿彌陀佛因位所發之誓願中便已存有要將法財施予眾生之意涵,故而在阿彌陀佛成就佛果之後才會再發重誓,誓言要將功德法財施予眾生。《大經》流通分言「其有得聞彼佛名號,歡喜踴躍乃至一念,當知此人為得大利,則是具足無上功德」,此文在於說明聞信阿彌陀佛名號而歡喜踴躍之人,在其心生歡喜之當下便獲得大利益,而獲得大利益便等於獲得無上功德。而眾生之所以在聞信阿彌陀佛名號而心生歡喜之當下便可以獲得無上功德,這完全是佛之迴向所使然。
天親菩薩據此於《往生論》言「觀佛本願力,遇無空過者,能令速滿足,功德大寶海」,說明凡值遇佛本願力之人,在其值遇之當下便已滿足功德大寶海。
Namo Amituofo!
