A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
20. Exclamation about the Difficulty of Advising People To Believe
The Buddha said to Maitreya: “ It is extremely rare for a Tathagata to appear in the world and it is very difficult to encounter one.” The Buddha’s sutras and other teachings are hard to obtain and hear. The more advanced teachings for Bodhisattvas and the Paramitas are also difficult to hear. It is also hard to come across a Dharma mentor, hear his teachings, and practice accordingly. Hearing this sutra, rejoicing in faith, accepting it, and upholding it are the most difficult of all difficulties. Nothing is harder! That is why my Dharma is created, spoken, and taught in this way. You should believe, comply, and practice accordingly.”
Question: The teachings of the Pure Land School are indeed difficult to believe. Many practitioners who have cultivated for years still cannot fully accept them. Since it is so difficult to have faith, how can one develop it?
Answer:
1. Establishing Faith based upon the History of Shakyamuni Buddha: The Buddha was one who possessed great compassion and always spoke the truth; so, his words are trustworthy. If one already believes in other sutras spoken by the Buddha; but, has not yet developed faith in the Pure Land scriptures, one can reflect in this way: Since other sutras are true and reliable, and the Pure Land teachings were also spoken by the Buddha, they must likewise be true and reliable.
(to be continued tomorrow)
20. 《無量壽經》嘆難勸信
如來興世,難值難見;諸佛經道,難得難聞;菩薩勝法、諸波羅蜜,得聞亦難;遇善知識[1],聞法能行,此亦為難;若聞斯經,信樂受持,難中之難,無過此難!
20.1 問:淨土教法確實難信,很多修行多年的人都不能相信,既然這麼難,那要怎麼信呢?
答:
1就人立信。「佛是滿足大悲人故,實語故」,所說可信。如果相信佛所說的其他經典,對淨土經典暫不能生信,可以這樣思維:其他經典真實不虛,淨土經典也是佛說,也必然真實不虛。
Namo Amituofo!
