Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
148. Reciting the Name of Guanyin Bodhisattva for Rebirth Still Relies on Amitabha Buddha’s Vows (continued)
2. What is the difference between reciting the Name of Amitabha Buddha and the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva?
The difference lies in their roles and priorities—what can be called principal versus secondary or primary versus auxiliary. Amitabha Buddha is the central figure of the Pure Land and the master of the Land of Bliss. Guanyin Bodhisattva, on the other hand, serves as his attendant or assistant. Reciting the Name of Amitabha Buddha is directly supported by Amitabha’s Fundamental Vow, and one is embraced and illuminated by his infinite light.
The assertion that reciting the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva can also lead to rebirth is based on the unity of Guanyin Bodhisattva and Amitabha Buddha. The assurance of rebirth does not arise solely from reciting the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva but is ultimately grounded in Amitabha Buddha’s Fundamental Vow.
As Master Shandao states in the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, “"All ordinary beings, whether good or evil, who achieve rebirth in the Pure Land do so by relying entirely on the great vow power of Amitabha Buddha as the augmentative condition/ cause."
This means that even if one recites the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva and achieves rebirth, it is still through the great vow power of Amitabha Buddha as the augmentative condition.
Thus, understanding the distinction between principal and auxiliary is essential. If one insists on separating Guanyin Bodhisattva from Amitabha Buddha, it reflects a deviation from proper knowledge and views, leading to confusion about what is definitive and non-definitive.
(to be continued tomorrow)
148 念觀音聖號往生,仍不出彌陀願力 (續)
第二個問題,這樣的話,念彌陀聖號和觀音聖號有什麼區別呢?區別就是正旁、主次不同。所謂正旁,就是南無阿彌陀佛為主,他是極樂淨土的主人;觀世音菩薩是脅侍。念阿彌陀佛的名號,有彌陀的本願來保障,也有彌陀的光明來攝取。說念觀音菩薩也一定往生,是在「觀世音菩薩和阿彌陀佛一體的」這個基礎上來談的。「一定往生」,不是定在念觀世音菩薩,而是定在阿彌陀佛的本願。
如善導大師《觀經疏》所說的:一切善惡凡夫得生者,莫不皆乘阿彌陀佛大願業力為增上緣。也就是說,念觀世音菩薩能往生,仍然是以阿彌陀佛大願業力為增上緣,這樣理解才正確。所以要分清正旁、主次。如果一定要把觀世音菩薩和阿彌陀佛分開,這不是正知正見,就有所謂的定和不定了。
Namo Amituofo!
