Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
139.The Theory of Setting Directions and Naming Forms (continued)
Different Buddhist schools explain the Pure Land in different ways. For instance, the Sacred Teaching tends to take the approach of “infinity”; but, the Pure Land Teaching tends to start with “finity.”
The Sacred Teaching emphasizes “becoming Sacred beings in this Land”. That is, the practitioner cultivates various practices in our present land , realizes the rewards, and enters the door of equality. In doing so, he exits the door of differentiation.
The Pure Land School emphasizes “attaining realization in that land”. That means we have faith in Amitabha, accept his deliverance, exclusively recite his Name, and realize the rewards in the Pure Land. So, we exit “finite differentiation” gradually, then enter “infinite equality”.
In the Collection on Peace and Joy, Master Tanluan says, “As I am an ordinary being, my wisdom and mental power are average without any rewards. So, like placing grass to attract a cow, we must fix our minds on the troughs. We will receive nothing if they are left to roam freely!
139 指方立相論 (續)
佛教不同宗派在說明淨土時,聖道門傾向從「無邊」說起,而淨土門則傾向從「有邊」開始。
聖道門強調「此土入聖」,先在娑婆世界修行入聖證果,體悟平等之理,再出差別之門比較方便。
淨土門則是「彼土得證」,到淨土才入聖證果,所以先從「有限差別」漸進之後,才入「無限平等」。
故《安樂集》引曇鸞大師文說:「吾既凡夫,智慧淺短,未入地位,念力須均。如似置草引牛,恆須繫心槽櫪。豈得縱放,全無所歸?」
大師謙自己是生死凡夫,智慧、念力淺短,尚未入不退轉位,不能漫無目的,完全沒有歸向。就像引牛吃草,須把草料放在槽櫪,牛才能專心依附。所以凡夫必須繫心一處——西方極樂,方能一向專念,得生淨土。
Namo Amituofo!
