Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
139. The Theory of Setting Directions and Naming Forms
There are a variety of different opinions about why Shakyamuni placed Amitabha’s Pure Land in the West. Some believe it was spoken as an expedient means. Others believe ”Amitabha is Self-Nature and the Pure Land is Mere Consciousness.” They believe that both Amitabha Buddha and the Pure Land exist only in our Minds.
Another says the Land of Saha is the same as the Land of Permanent Stillness in Light; and , apart from this there is no Western Land of Bliss.
The Pure Land School strictly follows the principle of “setting a direction and naming the forms”. When setting a direction, the Buddha clearly set it in the west.
By naming forms, and differentiating matter and form, “a Buddha named Amitabha is now preaching the Dharma there.”
Regarding the location of the Pure Land, why are there so many arguments and comments? It is because the Great Sutra says, “It is immeasurably open and vast”, “It is transcendentally and uniquely splendid and wonderful” and “It is so wide and grand it exceeds any limits.”
Vasubandhu Bodhisattva says in his Treatise on Rebirth, “I reflect on the features of that Land; It transcends the path of the Three Domains. Ultimately it is like the void, Immense and boundless.” Besides, the Great Sutra says “it is located in the West”. If the Pure Land is boundless, wide and vast, it should not be said to be in the West. So, it is inevitable that we have different understandings on this issue.
How can all of these controversial views be produced?It is because all phenomena and matters can be viewed in terms of equality and differentiation.
139 指方立相論
關於阿彌陀佛的淨土位於西方,古來有很多議論。或說是釋尊的方便說;或說「自性彌陀,唯心淨土」,佛與淨土都在我們的心中;或說娑婆即常寂光土,離開此土別無西方世界等。
然,淨土宗是遵守「指方立相」的綱格。「指方」是指出方向,釋尊在經中指明西方;「立相」是分辨色相,確立有一尊佛叫阿彌陀佛,今現在說法。
關於淨土的所在,為什麼會生起種種的議論呢?因為在《大經》中說「開廓廣大,超勝獨妙」,「恢廓曠蕩,不可限極」。
天親菩薩亦在《往生論》說:「觀彼世界相,勝過三界道,究竟如虛空,廣大無邊際。」而《大經》又說「現在西方」。淨土既然恢廓無邊,就不能說只限西方。
說法不一,難免引起議論。
這樣相反的解釋是如何產生的?這是因為萬事萬物都有「平等觀」與「差別觀」二種看法。
Namo Amituofo!
