Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
150 The Meaning of the Gatha of Merit-Dedication (continued)
A brief explanation of each line is as follows:
"May the resulting merits" (願以此功德)
The words "願" (wish/vow) here refer to Amitabha Buddha’s great vow. "此功德" (these merits) refers to the vast merits that Amitabha has accumulated over countless eons. Amitabha wishes to share these merits equally with all sentient beings, enabling everyone—whether they are part of the Three Benevolent Stages, Ten Sacred Levels, or those who have committed the Five Gravest Offenses and the Ten Evils—to generate the aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land and together attain Buddhahood.
"Be distributed to all sentient beings without discrimination. " (平等施一切)
Amitabha Buddha, with boundless and unconditional great compassion, offers his merits indiscriminately to all beings, whether they are holy or ordinary, virtuous or sinful, across the ten directions.
(to be continued tomorrow)
150 「迴向偈」之意 (續)
逐句略釋如下:
「願以此功德」,此「願」即是彌陀之願,「此功德」即是指彌陀兆載永劫所積聚之功德。彌陀「願以此功德」,平等迴施一切眾生,使一切眾生,不論三賢十聖或五逆十惡,都平等無別地發願生心,往生安樂國以共成佛道。
「平等施一切」,阿彌陀佛以無緣大慈、同體大悲,平等無條件惠施予十方一切聖凡善惡諸眾生。
Namo Amituofo!
