Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Rebirth through Other-Power (continued)
The Infinite Life Sutra says, “I shall open the Dharma Treasury for the multitudes and offer an abundant treasure of merit.” It also says, “ I Single- Mindedly sought the pure undefiled Dharma in order to benefit sentient beings”; and “He enables sentient beings to accumulate merit.” This indicates that Amitabha Buddha accomplished his Name in order to enable sentient beings to receive his merits.
Accomplishment refers to Amitabha’s dedication to enabling sentient beings to receive his merits. Thus, the karma of the Name has been accomplished. The Name refers to the Buddha’s Name on one hand, and the Name that has been received by sentient beings on the other. That is how sentient beings can receive and accept the Name.
A kind father loves his son and gives all his wealth to him. His son receives it and owns all of his dad’s property. Who dares to say “ receiving another's reward” is not reasonable?
Similarly, once we receive Amitabha Buddha’s dedication the cause of our rebirth is suddenly perfect and complete. Even if we have done nothing, we still deserve to receive this reward. This is the value of the teaching of other-power in the Pure Land School.
127 他力往生
《無量壽經》說:「為眾開法藏,廣施功德寶。」又說:「專求清白之法,以惠利群生。」「令諸眾生,功德成就。」揭示出阿彌陀佛成就功德名號、而由眾生領受之道理。成就指阿彌陀佛迴向眾生、成就眾生。若名號業已迴向成就,則名號一方面固然是佛之名號,但另一方面也是眾生領受之名號,而眾生之所以可以領受佛成就之名號,其道理也正在於此。
慈父愛子,將其財產全部給予其子;此子領受之,則其父之財產全部為其所有,可是又有誰會說這是不合理的「他作自受」呢?
同理,我輩一旦領受佛之迴向,則往生之因頓時圓滿,雖未自作卻等同自作,此名為「無作而作」,而淨土宗他力教之價值,也恰恰就在於此「無作而作」。
Namo Amituofo!
