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!
