A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
09. The Verse on the Three Oaths
Answer to Previous question (continued)
2. Though uninvited, Guanyin Bodhisattva comes when a person recites Amitabha’s Name. Guanyin Bodhisattva always dwells on the crown on the head of Amitabha Buddha. Thus, Guanyin always accompanies Amitabha. Whenever someone recites Amitabha’s Name, Guanyin and Shizi will always accompany him and are protected by those on the two sides of Amitabha. The bodhisattvas are our wonderful friends and follow us like our shadows.
3. Being always protected by Amitabha’s light, it is unlikely that an Amitabha-reciter will experience calamities. Even if they come due to past karma, the damage will be minimal if he keeps on exclusively reciting Amitabha’s Name. If his mind wavers, it means his recitations are not exclusive. Thus, when it comes to rebirth in the Pure Land, an Amitabha-reciter knows that no other names of buddhas and bodhisattvas are better than Namo Amitabha Buddha.
09. 《無量壽經》三誓偈
09.1 問:有人說,「觀世音菩薩尋聲救苦,雖修念佛,急難之時還是要念觀世音菩薩名號」,是這樣嗎?
答：(續)
2、稱念阿彌陀佛,觀世音菩薩不請自來。觀世音菩薩時時把阿彌陀佛頂戴在頭上,時時跟隨阿彌陀佛。只要有人稱念阿彌陀佛,觀世音菩薩、大勢至菩薩必定隨佛左右前來保護,「為其勝友」,「如影隨形」。
3、念佛人因為常在佛光保護當中,一些可能的災難自然潛消於無形。即使宿業難免,小有災障,念佛有素的人自然也會繼續一心專念南無阿彌陀佛。心思搖擺不定,說明心不專一。所以,求生極樂淨土之人,不論念哪尊佛菩薩名號,效果都比不上專念南無阿彌陀佛。
Namo Amituofo!
