Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Two Kinds of Dedication
Dedication, as it applies to the concepts of “going” and “returning,” refers to the benefits we are given by Amitabha Buddha. Dedication is the result of the Buddha’s power. “Going” refers to the form of rebirth. Upon hearing Shakyamuni’s teaching, sentient beings deeply believe in the exclusive recitation of the Name (Namo Amituofo/Amitabha) as our practice, and the attainment of rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land to realize Complete Nirvana. So, the notion of “going” in
dedication includes teaching, practice, belief and realization. It also includes the cause for the rebirth of sentient beings and eventual return to abide in Complete Nirvana.
The Buddha’s dedication to sentient beings through the notion of “going” means the cause and effects of rebirth are fully shared with sentient beings. The Buddha’s dedication to sentient beings in the notion of “returning” means, after rebirth in the Pure Land and realization of Complete Nirvana, they return to the defiled land to teach and guide sentient beings there to attain rebirth in the Pure Land. Obviously, this is an act that deeply benefits others after they have achieved Buddhahood. Amitabha Buddha enables their capacity to benefit others through his dedication to their “returning”.
To conclude, within the two kinds of dedications, the only one who can dedicate is Amitabha Buddha, and those who receive the dedication are sentient beings. So, it is the Buddha’s power that enables both “going” and “returning”. Both kinds of dedications are powered by Amitabha.
However, how does Amitabha Buddha share his merits and virtues with sentient beings, and how can sentient beings receive them?
126 二種迴向(二)
「往相」和「還相」,指佛迴向施予眾生的利益(所迴向的法益),「迴向」則是佛的作用。同時,「往相」也是往生淨土的相狀,具體指眾生因聽聞釋尊說法,深信這句「南無阿彌陀佛」名號(行),從而得以往生淨土證大涅槃(證)。所以可以說,「往相」包括教、行、信、證四法,也就是包括眾生往生之因果,最終歸趣則是證大涅槃。
佛將此「往相迴向」給予眾生,也就是佛將往生的因和果統統施予眾生,這就是「往相迴向」。而「還相」則是指還來穢土的相狀。具體來說,就是已經往生淨土、證大涅槃的人,還來此穢土教化、引導眾生往生淨土。由此可見,所謂「還相」是指,得證佛果以後的利他之行。阿彌陀佛將此利他的能力施予眾生,這就是「還相迴向」。
這就可以得出結論,也就是二種迴向說中,「能迴向」的是阿彌陀佛,而「接受迴向」的則是眾生。如「往、還迴向由他力」「彌陀成就所迴向,有往相、還相兩種」,都是在說明這個道理。可是,阿彌陀佛是通過什麼方法,將往、還二相的迴向施予眾生?眾生又是如何領受佛的迴向呢?
Namo Amituofo!
