Apr. 2, 2025
Clarifying Doubts About the Pure Land (I)
淨土釋疑(一)
Question 5: Master, what is the difference between Amitabha-recitation with determinant faith, and Amitabha-recitation with the belief that "as long as I trust in the Name, I will attain rebirth in the Pure Land"?
Answer (continued):
The Six Paths of existence are like a vast sea of suffering, and we sentient beings are drowning in it. “Drowning” means sinking and being engulfed in the water, never rising to the surface.
Beings like us must rely on someone else to jump into the sea and carry us safely to the shore.
The one who has the power to enter the water and rescue us is none other than Amitabha Buddha. This brings us to the second aspect of faith — Faith in Teaching: Amitabha Buddha embraces and receives all sentient beings through his 48 Vows. Without doubt or anxiety, we are certain of rebirth [in the Pure Land] with recourse to the power of his vows.
These two aspects of deep faith are an inner realization. As mentioned before, if we are drowning in the ocean, Amitabha Buddha personally leaps in and lifts us out. When we truly experience His deliverance, our hearts are filled with the reality of his compassion, and all our suffering and fear dissolve. This is not just belief—it is a profound and direct awakening to Amitabha’s boundless grace.
5問:請問師父,信心決定的念佛,與有的人認為「我信名號,我就能往生」,這兩種念佛有什麼區別?
續答:
六道就是苦海,我們眾生都沉溺在苦海中。沉溺,就是沉入水中、溺入水中,沒有浮上來。像我們這種眾生,必須靠人家跳入海中把我們抱到岸上。能夠跳入水中、有力量把我們抱上岸的,就是阿彌陀佛。所以,進入第二種,法的深信——信法:二者決定深信,彼阿彌陀佛,四十八願,攝受眾生,無疑無慮,乘彼願力,定得往生。
這兩種深信是一種體悟性的內涵。剛剛講的,譬如我們溺在水中,阿彌陀佛親自跳下水把我們抱起來,我們心中充滿了阿彌陀佛救度的真實,消除了苦惱和不安。這是一種實際體悟。
Namo Amituofo!
