Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
145 The Relationship between Amitabha’s Name and his Body (continued)
The meaning of Amitabha is Infinite Light. His body/Name is the method for rescuing sentient beings. Thus, the Name and its meaning are inseparable and non-dual. Therefore, those who recite Amitabha’s Name have already absorbed Amitabha’s light.
Amitabha’s Name can eliminate all kinds of ignorance in sentient beings, and also fulfill all of their wishes. This is because Amitabha Buddha’s Name is one with Amitabha’s body. Amitabha Buddha’s Name is replete with all of Amitabha’s virtues and power. By reciting the Name with faith in his fundamental Vow, all of the ignorance of sentient beings can be eliminated, and all of their wishes fulfilled.
Amitabha’s Name is the Dharma that enables even an evil person to become a Buddha, as its merits and virtues are inconceivable, vast, and boundless. So, the Name is said to be inconceivable, as is the practice of Name recitation.
(to be continued tomorrow)
145 彌陀名體之關係 (續)
阿彌陀為名,以光明為義、為體、為法。此名與義,相即不二,故稱阿彌陀之名即已攝取光明矣。
彌陀名號「能破眾生一切無明,能滿眾生一切志願」。以彌陀佛名即是彌陀佛體故,彌陀佛名本身具備彌陀所有之全德全力,信而稱念,能破眾生一切無明,能滿足眾生一切志願。
彌陀之名號,為惡人成佛之法,其功德之廣大無邊不可思議,故謂之名號不思議。以其功德廣大無邊,不可思議,故稱名號不思議。
Namo Amituofo!
