Common Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Two Kinds of Deep Faith (continued)
The two kinds of deep faith are not different, but simply two different aspects of a single body. It means the one-ness of true faith can be expressed in two different ways, aptitude and teaching.
Faith in other-power refers to a sentient being who has the capacity and conditions to leave the Saha world, and be assured of rebirth with reliance on Amitabha Buddha’s power. Simply speaking, it is a deep belief that Amitabha’s 18th Vow has the power to thoroughly deliver us; so, the two kinds of belief are really one.
“Deep Faith in Aptitude” - let’s discard the idea of self-powered practices for rebirth. If we don’t, we cannot deeply believe that we do not possess the capacity or conditions to leave.
Moreover, in regard to “Deep Faith in Teaching” - let’s entirely rely on “other-power”, Amitabha’s power in accordance with his Fundamental Vow. If we don’t, our belief in Amitabha’s vow power is not deep enough.
Above all, “Deep Faith in Aptitude” is to discard the idea of self-powered practices for rebirth and have “deep faith in this teaching.” Let’s entirely rely upon “other-power”!
128 二種深信(一)
二種深信的二種並非「別體二種」,而是「同體二種」,但畢竟所信之內容含有機與法兩種,所以善導大師才在這裡將一種信心分別為機與法兩種,因為一種真實信心可以存在兩種不同的表現形式。
本來,所謂他力信心是指,確信無有出離之緣的我等眾生,依佛願力之救度而定得往生。略言之,即深信彌陀願力要徹底救度我等,可見這種信心是一體一味的,並非存在兩種其體各別的信心。
善導大師之所以說決定深信自身無有出離之緣,是為了令我等眾生捨棄自力修行之思想;進而言之,若不捨棄自力修行之思想,便表示還無法深信自身無有出離之緣。
同理,所謂深信阿彌陀佛之願力,就是將自身之往生完全託付於阿彌陀佛之願力,如此完全仰靠阿彌陀佛之願力,即是深信彼佛之本願力。若不是完全仰靠彼佛之願力,便是對阿彌陀佛之本願力仍不夠深信。
總而言之,機深信指捨棄依靠自力修行的想法(自己完全無力,絕對無力),法深信則指完全仰靠阿彌陀佛之他力(完全他力,絕對他力)。
Namo Amituofo!
