Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
137. General Discussion on Pure Land (continued)
Let’s talk about another little question:
The four directions of east, south, west, and north are determined by the earth’s orbit around the Sun, and the North Pole of the Earth. Hence, they are relatively determined. Thus, whether the USA is on the east side or the west side of the Earth is basically the same. However, in outer space the four directions cannot be definitely determined. Therefore, when the Buddha says the Land of Bliss is in the west, it is spoken in an expedient way to facilitate the understanding of sentient beings.
However, to facilitate the practice of our teaching, a direction must be specified. So, the west was chosen to enable sentient beings to focus more specifically. The sun sets in the west, which denotes rest and a return home. So, people regard sunset as a time for rest and return. When we struggle in the Land of Saha for our entire lives, we will naturally think of returning home when we see the sunset. This is the reason the west was chosen?
(extracted from “ A Talk on the Pure Land In Today’s Language” by Cheng-Ji Zhang)
137 淨土泛論 * (續上)
還有一個小問題，此處應順便一提：
東西南北之方向乃根據地球繞日或依北極為定準而來，這種定向的準則亦是相對的，美國到底在中國之東邊或西邊都可以說得通，太空中更難肯定一個絕對的「東、西、南、北」，因此西方極樂世界的「西方」二字，又是一種順眾生心和順眾生執的方便說。
但是，宗教行持又不能沒有一定之準向，因此就標唱西方，這樣才能使眾生心有所專。
西方又是落日的方向，象徵著休息和歸宿，看看西方的落日使人有一種歇處和歸處的感覺。
在痛苦的娑婆掙扎了一輩子，看見落日自然就會生起遊子歸去的感懷，這也是標唱西方的另一主要原因吧！
（摘自張澄基《淨土今說》)
Namo Amituofo!
