Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
150 - The Meaning of the Gatha of Merit-Dedication (continued)
"And to be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy." (往生安樂國)
The Land of Peace and Joy (安樂國) is also called the Land of Bliss (極樂世界), which is Amitabha’s Pure Land.
To aspire for rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land means that one is assured of rebirth there, where one will swiftly attain Buddhahood. Upon reaching the Pure Land, one will naturally embody Amitabha’s infinite light and infinite life, and like him, universally and unconditionally deliver all beings throughout the ten directions.
For this reason, Pure Land practitioners—through exclusively reciting Amitabha’s Name (念佛)—transmit his boundless compassion, and egalitarian salvation to all beings, whether they are holy or ordinary, good or evil.
They wholeheartedly aspire for all sentient beings to "hear of and accept Amitabha’s salvation, and wish for rebirth in his Pure Land." Those who do so will undoubtedly be embraced by Amitabha’s boundless light and never forsaken.
They will certainly be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy, where they will fully realize the Bodhi Mind, and accomplish the Bodhisattva Path.
150 「迴向偈」之意 (續)
「往生安樂國」,安樂國是極樂世界的異稱,亦即是彌陀淨土。「願生彌陀淨土」,則必定往生彌陀淨土,必定速成佛道,必定如彌陀光壽無量、平等無條件的「廣度十方眾生」。
是故念佛人轉傳彌陀慈悲平等救度的功德於一切聖凡善惡諸眾生,普願一切眾生,皆「信受彌陀救度、願生彌陀淨土」,則必蒙彌陀光明攝取不捨,「往生安樂國」以圓滿菩提心與菩薩道。
Namo Amituofo!
