A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
08. The 22nd Vow in the Infinite Life Sutra (continued)
Answer:
Vasubandhu Bodhisattva says in the Treatise on Rebirth, “In that realm of Mahayana virtuous roots, [All beings are] equal, with no unsavory names.”
Master Tanluan says in his Treatise on Rebirth, “The supreme instruction of the Mahayana, like a leeward vessel that never retreats.”
Master Daochuo says in his Collection on Peace and Joy, “ those who seek rebirth in the Pure Land are not practicing a Theravada teaching.” Question: “ Some people ask, are all those who aspire to be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land and exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name really self-power Theravada practitioners? Answer: Not necessarily. Why? In Theravada Buddhism, they don't understand the reason for rebirth in the Pure Land.
In the Quotes of Master Sheng-An, it says, “ the Pure Land teachings are Bodhisattva practices, not at all like those in Theravada. Moreover, the Buddha did not mention the Pure Lands in other directions. He only talked about the Buddha-lands in the Mahayana Sutras, and sincerely pointed out that we should aspire to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. Thus, those practicing Theravada do not believe in rebirth in Amitabha’s Buddha-land.
As a matter of fact, most Mahayana practitioners cultivate the Pure Land teaching. Unfortunately, some people nowadays say the Pure Land teaching is Theravada, not Mahayana. What a big inversion!
08. 《無量壽經》第二十二願
08.1 問:有人說,「淨土門行者一心念佛願生淨土,貌似只求個人出離的小乘自了漢」,是這樣嗎?
(續)
天親菩薩《往生論》:「大乘善根界,二乘種不生。」
曇鸞大師《往生論註》:「上衍之極致,不退之風航。」
道綽大師《安樂集》:「第六,破求生淨土非是小乘。問曰:或有人言,求生淨土便是小乘,何須修之?答曰:此亦不然。何以故?但小乘之教,一向不明生淨土故也。」
《省庵法師語錄》:「淨土法門是菩薩所行,非小乘事。蓋如來在小乘教中,不說有他方佛土,唯大乘方等經中,廣談十方佛國,而諄諄唯指歸西方淨土一門。故西域稟小乘教者,都不信有彌陀佛國往生之事。學大乘者,多修此法。今人反謂淨土是小乘法,大乘所不為,豈不大顛倒耶?」
Namo Amituofo!
