Dec. 26, 2024
Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
142. One Vow and Three Vows
The Verse on the Fundamental Vow states: “By the power of Amitabha Buddha’s Fundamental Vow, those who hear his name and wish to be reborn, will all reach his land and naturally attain the state of non-retrogression.”
This verse interprets the meaning of the 18th Vow; but, it includes the meanings of the three vows - the 17th, 18th, and 11th Vow.
(1) One Vow - the Fundamental Vow is the 18th Vow. It includes: 1. “Hear his name”, which means to hear Amitabha’s name. 2. “sincerely and joyfully entrust in him and aspire to be reborn in his land” means aspiration. 3. Reciting Amitabha’s name “even ten times” is the practice. “All who do these things will quickly reach his land, and naturally attain the state of non- retrogression.” (as said in the passage on the accomplishment of the 18th Vow.)
(2) Three Vows - the power of the fundamental vow refers to the 17th Vow. “Wishing to be reborn upon hearing” refers to the three kinds of faith in the 18th Vow. “ If any of the sentient beings who arrive in my land continue to be reborn,” may I not attain perfect Enlightenment”. “Naturally attain the state of non-retrogression” is the karma of assurance as stated in the 11th
Vow.
This verse is an important text that reveals the faith in other-power. Thus, one ought to pay attention to it.
142 一願意三願意
本願偈說:其佛本願力,聞名欲往生,皆悉到彼國,自致不退轉。
此偈主要是解釋第十八願之意,但也可以看成是第十七、第十八、第十一等三願之意。
(一)一願意:「本願力」是第十八願全部。「聞名」是聞彌陀佛名,含「信心歡喜」的信與「乃至十念」的念;「欲往生」是願生心。「皆悉到彼國,自致不退轉」是第十八願成就文的「即得往生」。
(二)三願意:「本願力」是第十七願。「聞名欲往生」是第十八願的三信,「皆悉到彼國」是第十八願的「若不生者,不取正覺」,「自致不退轉」是第十一願的住正定聚。
要之,此本願偈是顯示淨土宗他力信仰的重要經文,必須特別注意。
Namo Amituofo!
