Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
The Five Virtues of a Lotus ( continued)
“A lotus is straight in appearance.” This describes an Amitabha-reciter, who believes in and accepts Amitabha’s deliverance. He will naturally correct his three karmas, and become upright, just like the stem of a lotus.
Human beings are replete with afflictions. Their greed, hatred and delusions never vanish even if they believe in and accept Amitabha’s deliverance. However, their temperament and behavior will gradually become more kind and accepting because they recognize these afflictions in themselves.
Thus, an Amitabha-reciter who believes in and accepts Amitabha’s deliverance, will improve their conduct. Because they believe, they will teach others to believe, and share the noble teaching of Amitabha’s deliverance with those who have a karmic connection with the Buddha. Thus, they must be mindful of their conduct and try to be good examples of the value of our path.
130 蓮花五德 (續)
「外直」，外表的正直。蓮花從外表看是直直的莖，表示信受彌陀救度的念佛人，自然會端正三業，為世良民，如梗直的蓮莖一樣生存著。
人是煩惱具足的凡夫，即便信受彌陀救度，但貪瞋癡煩惱還是永不會消失而一直存在的，但信受彌陀救度之後，心性轉為慈柔，對自己的言行自然有敏銳的觀察力。
所以信受彌陀救度的念佛人，會糾正自己的行為，也為了自信教人信，把尊貴的彌陀救度的法門傳給有緣人，讓更多人知道，讓更多人結上殊勝的法緣，因此更會謹言慎行，率身垂範，避免因自己行誼的偏失，而讓人誤解乃至誹謗這個尊貴的法門。自己言行愈好，所傳的法門才愈容易使人信從，因此會謹慎自己的言行。
Namo Amituofo!
