Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
06. The Infinite Life Sutra - the 11th Vow
If, when I attain Buddhahood, humans and devas in my land should not dwell in the Definitely Assured State and unfailingly reach Nirvana, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.
06.1 Question: Nagarjuna Bodhisattva is already a “landed” Bodhisattva, why does he still aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss?
Answer: A Bodhisattva who reaches the seventh stage of “land of far journey” is likely to encounter the jeopardy of sinking in “emptiness”. He may sink in the concept of formless emptiness in stillness when he deeply contemplates formlessness. He thinks that there is no pursuit of Bodhi above, and no sentient beings to be delivered below, thus he cannot become a Buddha. However, with the support and reinforcement of Amitabha’s 11th Vow, he will expedite, without obstructions, to attain perfect Enlightenment and unsurpassed merit and virtues, and to to become a Buddha to deliver sentient beings if he is reborn in the Land of Bliss.
06. 《無量壽經》第十一願
設我得佛，國中天人不住定聚、必至滅度者，不取正覺。
06.1 問：龍樹菩薩這樣登地的菩薩為什麼還要發願往生極樂世界？
答：菩薩修行到七地「遠行地」，可能會墮入「七地沉空難」，由於深入無相觀，沉於無相空寂之理，上無菩提可求，下無眾生可度，不得成佛。往生極樂世界有阿彌陀佛第十一願的加持，成佛無諸障難，而且能快速圓滿無上功德，快速成佛度眾生。
Namo Amituofo!
