A Discussion on Excerpts from the Scriptures of the Pure Land School
淨土宗精要法語討論
20. Exclamation of the Difficulty in Advising People To Believe
Answer: (continued)
2. Establishing Faith in the Context of Practice: No matter how much merit and virtuous deeds one accumulates, it may still be difficult to establish faith. However, Amitabha Buddha’s 18th vow designated the exclusive recitation of his Name as the direct cause for rebirth in the Pure Land, and this vow has already been perfectly fulfilled. Therefore, following the vow by practicing accordingly will certainly lead to birth in the Pure Land. This is similar to how modern people can believe in traveling thousands of miles in a single day because airplanes now exist, whereas in ancient times, such a possibility would have been unimaginable.
3. Reciting the Buddha’s Name and Praying for His Blessings: The Pure Land path is difficult to believe in but easy to practice. One can cultivate faith through practice—simply start reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha . The Name carries inconceivable power and blessings, and offers numerous benefits without interfering with daily life. Why not embrace it? The six-character Name (Namo Amitabha Buddha) not only has the function of receiving and embracing beings but also of nurturing and ripening them.
4. Reading Accounts of Buddha-Name Recitation Experiences: Theory cannot compare to real evidence and facts speak louder than words. Reading accounts of those who have had profound experiences with Pure Land practice can further strengthen one’s faith.
5. Recognizing the Rarity of Human Birth and the Suffering in the Saha realms: Understanding how difficult it is to attain human birth, realizing the immense suffering in the Saha realms, and recognizing one's inability to save oneself should lead to a sense of urgency. One should never forget that "birth and death are of the utmost importance."
20. 《無量壽經》嘆難勸信
續答:
2就行立信。就自身所積修功、因行,無論如何都不能生起信心;佛的誓願設定了念佛為往生正定之業,此願已圓滿實現,所以依願而行必生彼國。猶如現代人因為有了飛機這一遠行工具,所以能夠相信人類可以日行萬里,這在古代無論如何都不能相信。
3多念佛,祈佛加被。淨土法門難信易行,可以由行導信,先把佛號念起來,
佛號有不可思議加持功效,念佛有諸多利益,又不妨礙日常生活,何樂而不
為?六字名號不僅有攝取功能,還有調熟功能。
4多看念佛感應事例。理論不如證據,事實勝於雄辯。
5如實認知人身難得,如實認知娑婆苦境和無力自救的險狀,不忘「死生事大」。
Namo Amituofo!
