Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
145 The Relationship between Amitabha’s Name and his Body (continued)
In a nutshell, the Name (Amitabha Buddha) encapsulates all of Amitabha Buddha’s vows and practices accomplished while in his causal ground, and all of the merits and virtues he attained while in his reward ground. This makes it replete with Infinite value.
Thus, Master Honen said in his Collection on Selection, “ the Name is the final settlement for a myriad of virtues”. Thus, the single Name of Amitabha Buddha includes all of the merits and virtues he realized internally, such as the Fourfold Wisdom, Threefold Body, Tenfold Power, Four Kinds of Fearlessness, etc. , and also includes all of the merits and virtues functionally used externally: correct actions, enlightened speech when sharing the Dharma,and benefiting sentient beings, etc. All of these are contained within Amitabha Buddha’s Name.
The exclusive recitation of Amitabha’s Name is the method through which Amitabha delivers sentient beings. The Name contains all of Amitabha’s phenomenal virtues and power. In other words, Amitabha accomplished his Name for the purpose of delivering all sentient beings easily, through the exclusive recitation of his Name. It is just like a doctor who prescribes a particular medicine to cure his patient’s illnesses.
(to be continued tomorrow)
145 彌陀名體之關係 (續)
要而言之,南無阿彌陀佛之名號綜合阿彌陀佛因位之大願大行與果上之一切功德,具絕大價值體。
故法然上人《選擇集》說:名號者是萬德之所歸也。然則彌陀一佛所有四智、三身、十力、四無畏等,一切「內證功德」,及相好、光明、說法、利生等一切「外用功德」,皆悉攝在彼佛名號之中。
彌陀名號是彌陀救度眾生之方法。彌陀全德全力表象之名號,換言之,成就此全德全力之結晶體的名號,其目的乃是為了容易救度罪惡之眾生,並以南無阿彌陀佛之名號作為救度我等之方法,譬如醫生用藥救療病者。
Namo Amituofo!
