Q and A about Practicing Amitabha-Recitation
Part Two - Rebirth through Amitabha-Recitation
第二部分 有關念佛往生
Question: If I cannot live according to the precepts, can I be reborn?
Answer: Certainly! Please refer to Page 135 regarding the accounts of Master Lin Ke.
Referring to the passage on rebirth for those at the lowest level in the middle tier or below:”even if they have not taken the precepts , or break the precepts and commit offenses, they can still be reborn near the end-of-life.”
When cultivating, it is generally required to practice the precepts, meditation, and wisdom diligently; in order to eradicate greed, hatred and delusion. Abiding by precepts is fundamental. If a practitioner fails to hold the pure precepts, he cannot attain any benefits in the human and celestial realms, not to mention the benefit of full emancipation and becoming a Buddha.
As these requirements are high, very few people are capable of accomplishing them. That is why the Buddha introduced the teaching of Amitabha-recitation. The teaching of Amitabha-recitation is - exclusively reciting the Name of Amitabha Buddha, and having faith in his power. Rebirth requires faith, aspiration, and exclusive Amitabha-recitation. It has nothing to do with precepts, meditation, or wisdom.
It is like sailing on a boat. One relies on the power of the boat, our arrival at our destination has nothing to do with our swimming skills. As long as we are on board, we can be transported across the river. It is the same with reciting Amitabha’s Name. By merely reciting Amitabha’s Name, we can all be reborn with recourse to Amitabha’s vow power. It doesn’t require any precepts, meditation, or wisdom. Thus, it is a special teaching of the greatest kindness and compassion.
19問:如果不能清淨持戒,念佛能往生嗎?
答:能!《念佛感應錄》第三集第135頁瑩珂法師即是其證。《觀經》中品下生以下都是無戒、破戒、造罪的人臨終念佛而往生的。
一般法門修持都要求「勤修戒定慧,息滅貪瞋癡」,其中戒律是基礎,不能清淨持戒,連人天善果都得不到,更不要說解脫成佛了。
但是這畢竟是太難了,能修戒定慧、滅貪瞋癡的人少而又少,不能達到的人多而又多,所以佛才說了念佛這個特別法門。
念佛法門是只要稱念阿彌陀佛的名號,仰靠阿彌陀佛的願力。往生只與念不念佛相關,與有沒有戒定慧無關。
比如乘船渡河,靠的是船力,與乘客識不識水性毫不相關,只要乘船,都可以渡河。念佛也一樣,只要念佛,都可以乘上了阿彌陀佛的願力,有沒有戒定慧通通往生,所以稱為大慈大悲、特別法門。
Namo Amituofo!
