September 17, 2024

Sept. 17, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132. The Most Honored Name of Ultimate, Perfect, and Harmonious Virtue (continued)

The following are quotations from Shakyamuni Buddha and the Pure Land

patriarchs as evidence:

“Amitabha Buddha’s Name is composed of six characters. It includes a myriad of virtues accumulated through his cultivation for countless eons; so, those who recite it will attain enormous benefits.”

“If I orally recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name even once, I will have sufficient boundless merits and virtues from the cause to the effect.”

“All Buddhas imbue their names with virtues; so, by reciting a Buddha’s name we can receive his virtues. These virtues can eradicate offenses and render blessings.”

“Through even one recitation of Amitabha’s Name, a myriad of virtues are immediately received. Thus, the offenses accumulated during many eons will disappear, and blessings become as abundant as the stars in the sky.”

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號 (續)

引證佛言祖語如下:

•佛名乃是積劫薰修,攬其萬德,總彰四字,是故稱之,獲益非淺。

──戒度大師

•今若以我心口,稱念一佛嘉號,則從因至果,無量功德,無不具足。

──用欽大師

•諸佛皆德施名,稱名即稱德,德能滅罪生福,名亦如是。

──法位大師

•一稱嘉號,萬德齊彰;罪銷塵劫,福等虛空。

──大佑大師

Namo Amituofo!

September 16, 2024

Sept. 16, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132. The Most Honored Name of Ultimate, Perfect, and Harmonious Virtue (continued)

The following are quotations from Shakyamuni Buddha and the Pure Land

patriarchs as evidence:

“One ought to recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name. This Name contains immeasurable, boundless merits and virtues. Those who recite the Name will accumulate infinite merits and virtues. In so doing, all of one’s evil karma and afflictions, accumulated in countless eons, will be eradicated.”

“This practice (Amitabha-recitation) enables us to absorb all virtuous teachings and roots, and experience perfect and complete True Suchness. For this reason it is called the Great Practice.”

“It is the ultimate praise of the One Buddha Vehicle and the ultimate destination in the land of bliss. Among all of the virtuous practices to achieve awakening, the Buddha’s Name is the one which is most splendid.”

“The Samadhi of Amitabha-recitation is the teaching for afflicted ordinary beings to transcend reincarnation and immediately be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land.”(by Master Yuanzhao)

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號 (續)

引證佛言祖語如下:

•應念阿彌陀佛名,此名攝無量無邊功德。稱念此名,無量功德來集我身,無始至今,煩惱惡業,皆悉消除。

──珍海上人《菩提心集》

•此行即是攝諸善法,具諸德本,極速圓滿,真如一實,功德寶海,故名大行。

──親鸞上人《教行信證》

•一乘極唱,終歸咸指於樂邦;萬行圓修,最勝獨推於果號。

•念佛三昧者,具縛凡愚,屠沽下類,剎那超越成佛之法也。

──元照大師

Namo Amituofo!

September 15, 2024

Sept. 15, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132. The Most Honored Name of Ultimate, Perfect, and Harmonious Virtue (continued)

The following are quotations from Shakyamuni Buddha and the Pure Land patriarchs as evidence:

“All Buddhas’ names are accomplished through their vows and practices. By merely reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name, which contains all virtues, a person can attain the Greatest Virtue that will enable us to abandon rebirth.”

“Amitabha’s Name is a consolidation of all virtues. Thus, Amitabha’s Name contains all of the merit and virtues attained through internal realization including: the Four Kinds of Wisdom, the Three Bodies, the Ten Powers, and the Four Kinds of Fearlessness. It also possesses all the merit and virtues for external functions including: the marks of goodness, light, the skills for preaching, and benefiting sentient beings.”

“With even one recitation of Amitabha’s Name, the ultimate goal of all practices is reached, because the six character Name is the root of all virtues.”

“ Amitabha’s Name is replete with all of the merits and virtues attained through all practices, without anything lacking; from one’s initial aspiration to perfect Enlightenment, and the ultimate achievement of Buddhahood. It is not just confined to Amitabha ; but, also includes all of the merits and virtues of all Buddhas in the ten directions. Within the six characters in the Name are all virtues. It is just like a Mani pearl that creates an immeasurable amount of gems though its size is small.”

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號 (續)

引證佛言祖語如下:

•諸佛願行,成此果名;但能念號,具包眾德,故成大善,不廢往生。

──窺基大師

•名號者是萬德之所歸也。然則彌陀一佛所有四智、三身、十力、四無畏等一切內證功德,

相好、光明、說法、利生等一切外用功德,皆悉攝在阿彌陀佛名號之中。

•弘願一稱者,萬行之宗致;果號三字者,眾德之根源。

──法然上人

•彌陀名號之中,即彼如來從初發心乃至佛果,所有一切萬行萬德,皆悉具足,無有缺減。非唯彌陀一佛功德,亦攝十方諸佛功德。今此佛號文字雖少,具足眾德。如如意珠形體雖少,雨無量財。

──永觀上人《往生十因》

Namo Amituofo!

September 14, 2024

Sept.14, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132. The Most Highly Honored Name of Ultimate, Perfect, and Harmonious Virtue (continued)

The following are quotations from Shakyamuni Buddha and the Pure Land patriarchs as evidence:

“To recite Amitabha’s Name, according to the manifestation of that Tathagata’s luminous wisdom and the meaning of his Name, is the purpose and practice that accords with ultimate reality.”

‘The Name of the Tathagata of Unhindered Light (Amitabha) can eliminate the ignorance of sentient beings and fulfill all of their aspirations.”

“Amitabha Tathagata’s Name is truthful, pure, and infinitely meritorious.”

“Amitabha Tathagata’s Name is the pearly, supreme Name of purity and non-birth.”

“Relying on the power of Amitabha’s Vow, one who recites his Name ten times will surely be reborn in his Pure Land.”

“Among the various practices, though many of them are virtuous, they cannot compare with Amitabha-recitation.”

“The Samadhi of Amitabha-Recollection / Amitabha-Recitation is not an ordinary practice as compared with other virtuous practices. Its functional capacity is far more splendid and transcendent.”

“The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned Nirvana. It’s hard to be reborn there by practicing assorted virtues according to circumstances. The Tathagata selected the key method. He teaches sentient beings to recite Amitabha’s Name with two-fold exclusivity.”

“The body of Amitabha is like a shining golden mountain. His splendid marks in the form of light shine over all of the worlds in the ten directions. Only those who recite the Name of Amitabha Buddha are embraced by his light. One should know [Amitabha’s] Fundamental Vow is most powerful.”

“All of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings will lead to emancipation; however, none of them is better than the teaching of rebirth in the Western Pure Land through Amitabha-recitation.”

“All virtuous karma can be dedicated to benefit the aspiration for rebirth; but, none is better than the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name.”

“Even if a myriad of virtues are dedicated to rebirth, the virtues of Amitabha-recitation are still the foremost.”

“The Name of Amitabha is like a sharp sword. All karmic offenses can be cut away by one recitation.”

“Those who slander the Dharma, have no virtuous roots, and commit the Ten Unwholesome Deeds can have All of those karmic offenses cleared if they redirect their minds to reciting Amitabha’s Name.”

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號 (續)

引證佛言祖語如下:

──《往生論》

•稱彼如來名,如彼如來光明智相,如彼名義,欲如實修行相應故。

•無礙光如來名號,能破眾生一切無明,能滿眾生一切志願。

•阿彌陀如來真實清淨無量功德名號。

•阿彌陀如來至極無生清淨寶珠名號。

•緣佛願力故,十念念佛,便得往生。

──《往生論註》

•自餘眾行,雖名是善,若比念佛者,全非比較也。

•念佛三昧,功能超絕;實非雜善,得為比類。

•極樂無為涅槃界,隨緣雜善恐難生;故使如來選要法,教念彌陀專復專。

•彌陀身色如金山,相好光明照十方;唯有念佛蒙光攝,當知本願最為強。

•種種法門皆解脫,無過念佛往西方。

•一切善業迴生利,不如專念彌陀號。

•萬行俱迴皆得往,念佛一行最為尊。

•利劍即是彌陀號,一聲稱念罪皆除。

•謗法闡提行十惡,迴心念佛罪皆除。

──善導大師

Namo Amituofo!

September 13, 2024

Sept. 13, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132. The Most Honored Name of Ultimate Perfection and Harmonious Virtue (continued)

The following are quotations from the Buddhas and Pure Land patriarchs as evidence:

“His light shines universally upon the lands of the ten quarters, embracing and not forsaking those who are mindful of Amitabha Buddha.”

“All who are mindful of Amitabha Buddha are like white lotus-flowers among humankind.”

“Shakyamuni Buddha further said to Ananda, bear these words well in mind. To bear these words well in mind means to hold fast to the Name of the Buddha Amitayus."

“Though [preceding passages] spoke of the merits of the meditative and non-meditative virtues, Shakyamuni Buddha’s underlying wish is that sentient beings will always recite Amitabha’s Name exclusively.”

“The Name is of immeasurable, boundless, inconceivable merits and virtues.”

“If a person wishes to reach the state of non-retrogression quickly, He should reverently uphold the recitation of Amitabha’s Name.”

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號 (續)

引證佛言祖語如下:

•光明遍照十方世界,念佛眾生攝取不捨。

•若念佛者,當知此人,則是人中芬陀利華。

•佛告阿難:「汝好持是語,持是語者,即是持無量壽佛名。」

──《觀經》

•上來雖說定散兩門之益,望佛本願,意在眾生一向專稱彌陀佛名。

──《觀經疏》

•無量壽佛,無量無邊不可思議功德名號。

──《小經》

•若人欲疾至,不退轉地者,應以恭敬心,執持稱名號。

──《易行品》

Namo Amituofo!

September 12, 2024

Sept.12, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132 The Name of Ultimate, Perfect, and Harmonious Virtue (continued)

The Tientai School always talks about “perfect and complete”, based on the dogma of “no difference between mind, Buddha and sentient beings”. It means one’s mind is replete with Buddhas and sentient beings in the ten Dharma Realms.

Deluded mind refers to sentient beings and enlightened mind refers to the Buddha, so they talk about ‘perfect and complete”, mainly with reference to mind.

However, when the Pure Land School talks about “perfect and complete”, it only refers to Amitabha Buddha. It is Amitabha’s Name that contains ultimate, perfect, and harmonious virtues. If ordinary beings believe this and recite it, they will be rescued and delivered without any interference.

The following are quotations from the Buddhas and our patriarchs as evidence:

“If those who earnestly believe, rejoice , wish to be reborn in my land, and recite my Name even ten times, should fail to be born there, may I not attain perfect enlightenment.”

“Those who rejoice in faith, recite his Name even once, and sincerely dedicate their merit in aspiration to be reborn there, will immediately attain rebirth and achieve non-retrogression.

“If someone hears the Buddha’s Name, rejoices, and recites it even once, you\should know that this person has received the utmost benefit.”

“When I complete the Buddha-path, my Name shall transcend all in the ten directions. Should it not be heard everywhere, May I not attain perfect enlightenment.”

“By the power of that Buddha’s Fundamental Vow, those who hear his Name and wish to be reborn, will all reach his land and naturally attain the state of non-retrogression.”

“When I attain Perfect Enlightenment, my Buddha Name shall be Amitayus. All sentient beings who hear this Name will be transported to my land. Their bodies will be golden in color, just like mine, and all their forms will be splendid, perfect and complete. Moreover, they will be enabled to benefit various kinds of sentient beings through the greatness of their compassionate minds.

(the above quoted from the Great Sutra)

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號 (續)

天臺宗盛談圓融,是立足於「心佛及眾生,是三無差別」之教理,亦即吾人之心具足佛、眾生及十法界之故,心迷即是凡夫,悟即是佛。以心為主而談圓融。

然而淨土宗是在阿彌陀佛之上談圓融,故謂彌陀名號是圓融至德嘉號,凡夫信之念之,能夠自在無礙地被救。

引證佛言祖語如下:

•至心信樂,欲生我國,乃至十念,若不生者,不取正覺。

•信心歡喜,乃至一念,至心迴向,願生彼國,即得往生,住不退轉。

•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。

•我至成佛道,名聲超十方,究竟有不聞,誓不成等覺。

•其佛本願力,聞名欲往生,皆悉到彼國,自致不退轉。

•我若成正覺,立名無量壽,眾生聞此號,俱來我剎中;

如佛金色身,妙相悉圓滿,亦以大悲心,利益諸群品。

──《大經》

Namo Amituofo!

September 11, 2024

Sept. 11, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132. The Most Honored Name of Ultimate, Perfect and Harmonious Virtue (continued)

“Harmonious” means inter-penetrative, totally free of any obstructions. All of the merits and virtues in the Buddhist teachings are totally included - one is all and all are one, as Amitabha’s single Name.

So, all virtues are fully included in this single Name. “One” and “all” are “harmoniously” unobstructed and free.

“Ultimate virtues” means the greatest virtues in terms of supreme nobility.

“Reputable Name” means the most honored and perfect virtues are contained in the Name.

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號 (續)

「融」者,鎔融互通,自在無礙之意。舉凡佛法中所有一切功德,此之萬善萬德,如袋中所納之小石,並非個個各別,而是一即一切,一切即一,無礙融通為一名號。故萬德的當下即是一名號,一名號的當下即是萬德,一多無礙自在,此謂之融。

「至德」是至極功德之意,功德中的至極,故謂至德,如尊貴中的至極,稱為至尊。

「嘉號」,「嘉」是善也、美也,盡善盡美之名號,故謂嘉號。

Namo Amituofo!

September 10, 2024

Sept. 10, 2024

Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching

淨土小常識

132. The Most Honored Name of Ultimate, Perfect, and Harmonious Virtue

The six-character Name “Namo Amituofo” is honored as the Name of Myriad, Perfect, Complete, and Harmonious Virtues.

“Perfect ”means the opposite of “separate from each other”(as an independent element). Hence, “perfect” in this case, means that it “permeates everywhere” fully and completely, without any obstructions. Just like a full moon, its light is perfect and flawless.

Amitabha Buddha’s Name contains the myriad virtues Dharmakara accumulated through countless practices. Thus, it is the Name with full, complete, perfect, and flawless virtues.

(to be continued tomorrow)

132 圓融至德嘉號

「南無阿彌陀佛」六字名號,被尊為「萬德洪名」,亦被讚歎為「圓滿德號」、「圓融至德嘉號」。

「圓」者,是對隔歷之言。相互隔離,各自成一單元者稱「隔歷」;而「圓」乃是圓滿周遍,融通無所障礙。圓滿即滿而無缺,如十五夜之月亮,稱為圓月或滿月,光明絲毫無缺。

阿彌陀佛之名號,是法藏菩薩因位之萬行、果位之萬德,所有六度萬行無量無邊之善根功德,此之萬善萬德圓滿無缺之名號,此謂之圓。

Namo Amituofo!

September 9, 2024

Sept. 9, 2024

Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School

淨土宗精要法語討論

The 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra (continued)

6. Question: Is there any evidence to show that the 18th Vow is the fundamental vow?

Answer: The aim of practicing the Pure Land teaching is to attain rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land through the exclusive recitation of his Name. The source or origin of the teaching regarding rebirth through Amitabha-recitation is the 18th Vow, based on the Three Sutras of the Pure Land teaching. One of the main principles of the three sutras is rebirth through exclusive Amitabha-recitation:

In the Dissemination Section of the Infinite Life Sutra, Maitreya Bodhisattva was advised to joyfully recite the Buddha’s Name “ to attain great benefit”. In the Dissemination Section of the Contemplation Sutra, Ananda was advised “to hold the Name of Amitayus Buddha.” In the Amitabha Sutra Shakyamuni Buddha straightforwardly advises him to attain rebirth by “upholding the Name”.

All of the Pure Land patriarchs transmitted the teaching of “rebirth through Amitabha-recitation” generation by generation:

Nagarjuna Bodhisattva indicates that it is in Amitabha’s 18th / fundamental vow that we are directed “to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land by exclusively reciting his Name”.

Vasubandhu Bodhisattva indicates that “ reciting Amitabha’s Name is a practice that accords with ultimate reality”.

Master Tanluan taught that “ the karma for rebirth is accomplished through reciting Amitabha’s Name ten times”.

Master Daochuo indicates that one can gain entry to Amitabha’s Pure Land through the recitation of his Name.

Master Shandao teaches that all three Sutras explain the attainment of rebirth through the exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name, and all 48 vows reinforce the teaching of rebirth through Amitabha-recitation.

Master Yinguang also advises us that any person can be reborn by deeply believing, earnestly aspiring and reciting Amitabha’s name for rebirth. This also refers to the 18th Vow.

《無量壽經》第十八願 (續)

6 問:說第十八願是根本願,有何依據?

答:淨土宗的修學目的是念佛往生,念佛往生的法義源頭就是四十八願中的第十八願。淨土宗正依三經,皆是對第十八願的展開,主旨皆是念佛往生:

《無量壽經》流通文付囑彌勒踴躍稱名「為得大利」,《觀經》流通文付囑阿難唯有「持無量壽佛名」,《阿彌陀經》直說「執持名號」得生極樂。

祖師也以「念佛往生」代代傳承:

龍樹菩薩示「稱名自歸」為彌陀本願,

天親菩薩示「稱彼如來名」得以「如實修行」,

曇鸞大師示「十念」往生「業事成辦」,

道綽大師示淨土門念佛往生「可通入路」,

善導大師示三經「唯明專念彌陀名號得生」、四十八願皆說念佛往生之事,及印光大師苦勸「只要能深信,只要能發願,只要能念佛,無論何人,都可以往生去的」,這也是第十八願。

Namo Amituofo!

September 8, 2024

Sept. 8, 2024

Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School

淨土宗精要法語討論

The 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra (continued)

5. Question: The 18th Vow states, “Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offenses and abuse the right Dharma”. Is it true that those who commit the five gravest offenses are not rescued and delivered? No, they too are rescued and delivered! According to Master Shandao’s explanation, that portion of the vow is intended "to caution us and inhibit us from committing those offenses and also to embrace, rescue, and deliver us if we have already committed them”.

Answer: “To commit the five gravest offenses and abuse the right Dharma” are very serious offenses that lead us directly to hell; so, it is better to warn us in advance. However, if sentient beings have already committed those offenses, the Buddha will still deliver them with his great compassion.

Master Yinguang said, “If we have abused the Dharma in the past, and now we repent and correct our behaviors, we can still be reborn.” It is like a patient who has recovered and is healthy, or a soldier who surrenders and becomes a private citizen. For a person who has abused the Dharma cannot be reborn based on his own power even if he repents. The benchmark of practicing and holding the Buddhist teachings is totally lost.

《無量壽經》第十八願 (續)

5 問:第十八願說「唯除五逆、誹謗正法」,五逆謗法之人真的不救嗎?

答:還是要救。依善導大師的解釋,「未造抑止,已造攝取」,逆謗罪極重,將見直入地獄,所以預先警告;如果眾生已造,還要勸其迴心,大悲救度。印光大師《文鈔三編》:「若先曾謗法,後知改悔,則得往生。譬如病癒即是好人、歸降即是順民也。若謂謗法之人,後縱改悔亦不得往生,便完全失卻修持準繩。」

Namo Amituofo!

September 7, 2024

Sept. 7, 2024

Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School

淨土宗精要法語討論

The 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra (continued)

4. Question: Some people say, “If we have false thoughts in our minds while reciting Amitabha Buddha’s Name, we cannot match Amitabha’s mind, even if we recite his Name for our entire lives.” Is this correct?

Answer: Referring to the state of mind of sentient beings mentioned in the 18th Vow - if they “sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name even ten times”, they will “match” with Amitabha Buddha’s mind. If we recite his Name with faith and the aspiration to be reborn in his Pure Land, we will also “match.” “Matching” does not mean achieving a meditative state in which we perceive that we and Amitabha are one. Purifying the mind through Buddha-recitation is the aim and practice of the Sacred Path, which should not be confused with the Pure Land Path.

《無量壽經》第十八願 (續)

4. 問:有人說,「念佛時雜念紛飛,念一輩子也不能與阿彌陀佛相應」,是這樣嗎?

答:第十八願所誓眾生的心行是「至心信樂,欲生我國,乃至十念」,想要與佛相應,只要信願念佛,而非禪定一心。念佛淨心是聖道門的修法和目的,不宜照搬到淨土門。

Namo Amituofo!

September 6, 2024

Sept. 6, 2024

Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School

淨土宗精要法語討論

The 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra (continued)

3. Question: How can sentient beings in the ten directions “entrust themselves sincerely and

joyfully”, as said in the 18th Vow?

Answer: We are taught that Amitabha’s compassion does not exclude even one sentient being from his deliverance. He awakens the mind of aspiration within us. We are also taught that Amitabha’s Name is replete with all of the credentials necessary for our rebirth. By reciting his Name, we can receive and accept them. Thus, our rebirth is assured and our entrapment in the cycle of birth-and-death is forever eliminated.

(to be continued tomorrow)

《無量壽經》第十八願 (續)

3. 問:第十八願中「十方眾生」是怎樣「至心信樂」的?

答:聞知阿彌陀佛不捨一人的慈悲願心和無一遺漏的救度力量,聞知名號本具往生資糧,稱念即可領納,定得往生,輪迴從此永斷。

Namo Amituofo!

September 5, 2024

Sept. 5, 2024

Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School

淨土宗精要法語討論

The 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra (continued)

2. Question: Some people ask , “How can a person be reborn through mere Amitabha-recitation?”

Answer: The fundamental principle of rebirth is clearly explained in the 18th Vow. Amitabha-recitation is a primary cause of rebirth, stipulated in the agreement between sentient beings and Amitabha Buddha, who made this oath while in his causal ground.

(to be continued tomorrow)

《無量壽經》第十八願 (續)

2. 問:有人說,「光念佛怎麼能往生?」

答:第十八願說明往生的根本原理,念佛是阿彌陀佛因地誓願與眾生約定的往生正因,《阿彌陀經》也單提念佛,未言及其他行法。

Namo Amituofo!

September 4, 2024

Sept. 4, 2024

Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School

淨土宗精要法語討論

The 18th Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra

If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters who

sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and

call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect

Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest

offenses and abuse the right Dharma.

1.Question: Can this vow be called “the Vow for Achieving Assured Rebirth through Reciting Amitabha’s Name by Ten Times” ?

Answer: No, it should be called “the Vow for Attaining Assured Rebirth through Amitabha- Recitation, because “even ten times” is said in the Vow. “Reciting Amitabha’s Name by Ten Times” does not include the meaning of “even”.

(to be continued tomorrow)

《無量壽經》第十八願

設我得佛,十方眾生,至心信樂,欲生我國,乃至十念,若不生者,不取正覺;唯除五逆、誹謗正法。

1.問:這一願可否稱為「十念必生願」?

答:應稱「念佛往生願」,願文說「乃至十念」。「十念必生」,「乃至」之意不能涵蓋。

Namo Amituofo!

September 3, 2024

Sept. 3, 2024

Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation

Part Two - Rebirth through Amitabha-Recitation

第二部分 有關念佛往生

Question 17. Can I still be reborn in the Pure Land if I haven’t taken refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha?

Answer 17: Yes, you can. Please refer to the account of Mr.Hui on Page 172 in the Third Collection of the Accounts of Amitabha-Recitation, Mr. Hu on Page 215, Ms. Chi on Page 275, and Mr. Huang on Page 342. All of them had not taken refuge, but were reborn through Amitabha-recitation.

However, if it is at all possible, it is better to take refuge; because taking refuge is a decision about faith, an entry to the Buddhist door, and the first step in becoming a Buddhist disciple. How can a person who wants to recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name to be reborn not want to take refuge?

17問:未皈依,念佛能往生嗎?

答:能!《念佛感應錄》第三集第172頁許培枝、第215頁胡老漢、275頁池貞子、第342頁黃英夫等,都還沒有皈依,也都念佛往生。

如條件允許,還是皈依的好。因為皈依是定信仰、入佛門、成為佛弟子的第一步,豈有想念佛、想往生的人不願皈依的呢?

Namo Amituofo!

September 2, 2024

Sept. 2, 2024

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about the Grace of Deliverance

慧淨法師之救恩法語(一)

The pristine Pure Land teaching transcends all sentiments and is beyond all views; so, it is an inconceivable teaching, concerning a realm of Buddhas. Ordinary beings should unconditionally entrust in it and accept it, without any discussions or arguments.

“Inconceivable” refers to the compassionate deliverance of Amitabha Buddha. Those who wish to enter the gate of the Pure Land should believe in and accept Amitabha’s deliverance.

純正淨土法門乃超情離見之「不可思議」法門,是佛與佛的境界,於凡夫但能無條件地信受,絲毫不可擬議。

「不可思議」即是指彌陀的慈悲救度。故欲入淨土門之人,應「信受彌陀救度」。

Namo Amituofo!

September 1, 2024

Sep. 1, 2024

Master Huijing’s Short Dharma Teaching about Impermanence

慧淨法師之無常法語

Everyone believes that next year will come.

Every family plants a crop for next year.

Everyone believes that the next life will come.

However, people do not cultivate the necessary blessings for the next life.

人人知道有來年,家家盡種來年榖;

人人知道有來生,何不修取來生福。

Namo Amituofo!