A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
15. The Infinite Life Sutra - The Original Intent for the Buddha Appearing in the World
With infinite great compassion, the Tathagata commiserates with beings of the Three Domains. Therefore, he appears in the world to disseminate the teaching of the Way, wishing to save the multitudes by endowing them with real benefits.
Question 15.1:
The Lotus Sutra says, “ the Buddha, in accord with his original intent, appeared in the world due to the great causal conditions.” How does the original intent, stated in the Infinite Life Sutra, differ from the one in the Lotus Sutra?
Answer:
The former is the original intent for the Sacred Path, while the latter is for the Pure Land Path. So, as the target audiences are different, the expedient means must also be. The former is to consolidate the Three Vehicles into One Vehicle, while the latter is to consolidate the Five Vehicles within the one Pure Land Vehicle equally. This allows for the coverage of sentient beings of different aptitudes and is the reason the Buddha retains the Infinite Life Sutra for circulation. Thus, we ought to know that this Sutra abides by the Buddha’s genuine original intent.
15.《無量壽經》出世本懷
如來以無盡大悲,矜哀三界,所以出興於世,光闡道教,欲拯濟群萌,惠以真實之利。
15.1 問:《法華經》言「佛以一大事因緣出興於世」,說為「出世本懷」,與《無量壽經》的「出世本懷」有何不同?
答:
一為聖道門出世本懷,一為淨土門出世本懷,攝機方便不同;一為「會三歸一」,一為「五乘齊入」,攝機廣度不同。《無量壽經》是本懷中的本懷,所以「特留此經」。
Namo Amituofo!
