Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
138. A World with No Desires (continued)
In order to attract and guide people who are suffering in our mundane world, the Land of Bliss or Pure Land is described as the ideal world for all human beings. In Buddhism, this is known as an “expedient”means. Is this a lie? It may give people the wrong impression.
Actually, the meaning of “expedient” is “a means to guide people towards the correct purpose”. For example, a doctor who wishes to mitigate the mental suffering of a patient with a fatal illness may say, “don’t worry, it is not fatal. You can be cured and recover.” That is an example of an expedient means.
(to be continued tomorrow)
138 無欲的世界 (續)
把淨土或極樂描寫成人們理想的世界,是儘量地要把抱著煩惱、還活在世上的人,引導到那裡去,在佛教中稱為「方便」。如此一來,所謂「方便」,豈不成了說謊?這似乎會予人不好的印象。
事實上,「方便」這個詞本來的意思就是:「為了引導邁向正確目的之手段。」例如一位醫生,為了減輕患者精神上的痛苦,對一位本來是絕症的病人,使他覺得「自己不是絕症,可以安心治療」。這也是醫生方便之處。
Namo Amituofo!
