Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
145 The Relationship between Amitabha’s Name and Body
A Buddha realizes the completely integrated laws of all phenomena without any obstructions; so, he attains the inseparable, non-dual relationship between his Name and body. These are only different in their respective ontologies and functions.
Amitabha’s Name and Amitabha Buddha’s body are not different. They are interdependent, inseparable and non-dual. That means they co-exist, like ice and water. Thus it is said, “ the Name is the body, and the body is the Name. There is no body apart from the Name, and no Name apart from the body. The Name is the Buddha’s body expressed in sound, and the Buddha’s body is the Name with no sound.” Why is this so?
The so-called “ functional capacity of all of the merit and virtues of the Buddha,” and “all of the functional capacities of his merit and virtues, are replete in his Name.” They are basically the same without any differentiation. Therefore, Amitabha Buddha’s Name is equal to Amitabha Buddha’s body, which consists of the complete virtues and power of Amitabha. Thus, it is said, “the Name and body are inseparable”, “ the Name and body are non-forsaking”, or “the Name and body are non-dual”. Just as Amitabha’s Name and body are non-forsaking; so, the Names of all Buddhas are equal to the Dharma bodies of all Buddhas.
(to be continued tomorrow)
145 彌陀名體之關係
佛證悟萬象無礙圓融之理,故得名與體有不離不二關係。佛體與名號之關係,不過是本體與作用之異。
彌陀名號與彌陀佛體,此名之與體,並非各別,兩者有相即、不離、不二之關係。亦即彌陀名號本身,非離彌陀實體而孤然別存,如水與冰,兩者相即不離不二。可謂「名即體,體即名;名外無體,體外無名;名號是有聲佛體,佛體是無聲名號」。以何而言?
謂佛體所有功德能力與名號所具功德能力,完全同一無差別,彌陀佛名等同彌陀佛體,本身具備彌陀所有之全德全力,故名「名體相即」「名體不離」「名體不二」。以名體不離故,諸佛之名號,即等同諸佛之法體。
Namo Amituofo!
