Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
Three Kinds of Naturalness
Naturalness means a state not intentionally acted upon, and not subject to change at one’s own discretion.
Naturalness is the Self-Nature of all Dharmas. In ancient India there was a sect called “ the external path of naturalness”. It advocated the arising of naturalness that came when the mind ceased reasoning. It is a kind of naturalness that is not dependent on the Law of Cause and Effect. In Buddhism, naturalness is based on the Law of Cause and Effect.
Regarding naturalness mentioned in various Sutras, there are three kinds of naturalness, namely: the naturalness of karmic force, the naturalness of vow power, and the naturalness of the unconditioned realm.
1.The Naturalness of Karmic Force
Sentient beings’ own cause and effect is known as the naturalness of their karmic force. If they practice good karma, they will naturally be rewarded with good fortune. If they practice evil karma, they will assuredly and naturally receive the retribution of suffering. Because it cannot be changed, it is known as “an effect resulting from a respective cause, or one’s reward or retribution that results from one’s acts.”
As said in the Infinite Life Sutra, “Good and evil karma follow rebirth naturally. The journey is long, in pitch darkness. Farewells are enduring. People go their separate ways, with scant chance for another encounter.”
It also says, “Those who do nothing but evil and fail to cultivate roots of goodness, will inevitably fall into the Wretched Realms naturally.”
It also says, “Thus, it is natural to have the Three Wretched Realms, that are filled with immeasurable suffering.”
It also says, “Their evil karma drives them to their destinations of doom. Retribution for wrongdoing is a natural process.”
(to be continued tomorrow)
133 三種自然
凡不必假藉人為的、人為不能改變的,就叫「自然」。
自然即是法的自性。古代印度有「自然外道」一派,提倡萬物是自然生起,非出於任何原因,這是無視因果法則的自然;佛教所說,則是基於因果之理的自然。
諸經論中,談論到自然的例子可歸納為三種:業力自然、願力自然、無為自然。
一、業力自然
業力自然是眾生自身的因果,也就是依善惡的業因,自然生起良窳苦樂的結果。因地行善業,自自然然的,將來就得到善的果報;因地為惡,也必定、自然的,將來受痛苦的惡果,不可更改,所謂「自因自果,自作自受」。
如《無量壽經》卷下所說:「善惡自然,追行所至,窈窈冥冥,別離久長。」「但作眾惡,不修善本,皆悉自然入諸惡趣。」「故有自然三途,無量苦惱。」「諸惡所歸,自然迫促。」
Namo Amituofo!
