Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
137. General Discussion on Pure Land (continued)
In the Pure Land Sutras, the Land of Bliss was depicted in a manner that would have appealed to the Indian people during Shakyamuni Buddha’s time. This included: gold, seven jewels, heavenly flowers, wonderful incense, and water of eight virtues.
The Buddha always tried to present the ideal Land of Bliss in ways that would be as accurate as possible, yet still appealing to the students he was addressing. Some may feel his language is not acceptable in our present time and differing locations; and we would find beautiful trees, flowers, and green grass more desirable.
Please consider, among those who are reborn, are their feelings and judgment of beauty the same as ours? The way they thought of the seven jewels, fences, and flowers is totally different from how we do today.
Do you understand that, even though gold and treasures may not be as esteemed in our universe, they have an infinite lifespan and beauty. Actually, gold, agate, tridacna, etc. are used to describe the Pure Land’s uniqueness and wonders, which may not be considered real treasures in the human world.
It is difficult to describe the inconceivable splendor and adornment in the Land of Bliss. Repeatedly, it is said in the Pure Land Sutras, as in Amitabha’s 27th Vow: “If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings should be able, even with the divine eye, to distinguish by name and calculate by number all the myriads of manifestations provided for the humans and devas in my land, which are glorious and resplendent, and have exquisite details beyond description, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.”
Also, in the 32nd Vow: “If, when I attain Buddhahood, my land should not be resplendent, revealing in its light all the immeasurable, innumerable and inconceivable Buddha-lands, like images reflected in a clear mirror, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.”
Limited by their language and restricted by their realm, it is difficult for a speaker to clearly describe the beauty and joy of the Pure Land to his listeners. Our realm and the Pure Land cannot be compared. So, the descriptions about the beauty and joy of the Pure Land are just expedient means, which cannot fully depict its reality. With this in mind we should be accommodating when reading the three Pure Land Sutras.
(to be continued tomorrow)
137 淨土泛論 * (續上)
淨土三經中，所描寫的極樂情況，乃對當時印度人所憧憬之「極樂」而來。黃金、七寶、天華、妙香、八功德水這一套皆印度人所極端喜愛者。
因為隨順聽眾之喜愛所以講了一大堆他們理想中的極樂和妙寶。遍地黃金和到處七寶。今天我們看來誠然有「略嫌俗氣」的感覺，遠不及富有自然生命的青樹、綠草、鮮花來得清麗宜人。
但不要忘記，往生西方的人，他們感覺及審美的官能是不是和我們一樣呢？他們所見到的七寶、欄杆、香華等與我們的黃金、七寶可能完全是兩回事！
焉知他們的黃金和七寶等不是宇宙美妙之極品，亦能生起無盡之生命活力及美感呢？其實黃金、瑪瑙、硨磲……這一套名詞只是形容其貴重及美妙而已，豈能硬指人間之實物？！
極樂世界之瑰麗莊嚴難可思議不易形容，經中一再說之，如第二十七願說：設我得佛，國中天人、一切萬物，嚴淨光麗，形色殊特，窮微極妙，無能稱量。其諸眾生，乃至逮得天眼，有能明了辨其名數者，不取正覺。
第三十二願云：設我得佛，自地以上，至於虛空，宮殿、樓觀、池流、華樹，國土所有一切萬物，皆以無量雜寶、百千種香而共合成，嚴飾奇妙，超諸天人。
局於語言及境界之限制，說法人很難對聽法人清楚地形容淨土之美和樂。我們的境界與淨土的境界畢竟是不相稱的，難以比擬的（incommensurable），因此經中對淨土之美和樂的描述，只有用一種權巧的，不得已的描述，掛一漏萬自是難免，所以我們讀淨土三經時宜活讀而不宜死讀。
Namo Amituofo!
