Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
147 The Three Vows about the Causes and Effects of Rebirth and Becoming a Buddha
Among the 48 vows, which vows are related to the causes and effects of becoming Buddha? They are the 18th Vow, the 11th Vow and the 22nd Vow. The 18th Vow is the vow of rebirth through Amitabha-recitation, the 11th Vow is the vow of attainment of nirvana, and the 22nd Vow is the vow of becoming a Buddha through merit dedication after one-more-life.
The 18th Vow is a guarantee that all sentient beings can equally be reborn through the exclusive recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s Name. (This is called becoming a Buddha by “going”). Once reborn in the Land of Bliss, they will attain the fruitful reward of becoming a Buddha in Nirvana (This is called becoming a Buddha in “return” form.) Possessing the infinite compassion of a Buddha, one will certainly return to the worlds in the ten directions to comprehensively deliver sentient beings. This is actually the speedy attainment of “the fruitful reward”, as stated in the 22nd Vow.
(to be continued tomorrow)
147 往生成佛因果三願
四十八大願當中,成佛之因與成佛之果是哪幾願呢?即第十八願、十一願、二十二願。第十八願是「念佛往生願」,第十一願是「必至滅度願」,第二十二願是「一生補處,還相迴向願」。
第十八願保證一切眾生只要念佛,都能平等往生(往相之因);一旦往生極樂世界,當下獲得第十一願的涅槃成佛之果(往相之果);成佛必定迴入十方廣度眾生,所以也速得第二十二願的果(還相大悲之用)。
Namo Amituofo!
