Episode 93 — 淨宗法門完全在明瞭阿彌陀佛就是自己

“The true nature becomes apparent owing to the other-power” --- we ordinary beings have not seen into our mind and true nature, but since Amitabha Buddha is manifested by our true nature, the capabilities innate to our true nature will be revealed owing to the support of Amitabha Buddha’s Forty-eight Vows (i.e., the condition). “From presence-of-thought, one attains absence-of-thought. This is exactly the profoundness and marvellousness of this Dharma” --- ‘this Dharma’ refers to the Buddha Mindfulness method. Having thoughts means one is attached to the phenomenal appearances, but these thoughts would be substituted by Amitabha Buddha’s name when one enunciates each name clearly and distinctly, thereby attaining absence-of-thought. What is this? This is called ‘attainment of One Mind Undisturbed at the noumenal level’ which is the same as seeing into the mind and true nature (i.e., Supreme Enlightenment) in Zen Buddhism. Both attainments are one and not two. In Zen Buddhism, it is called ‘seeing into the mind and true nature’, in Pure Land Buddhism, it is called ‘One Mind Undisturbed at the noumenal level’ while the sutra-study schools call it ‘great awakening with complete understanding.’ The terms may be different but the states attained are exactly the same. That’s why if you really understand and are enlightened to this truth, you will know that every method is Buddhism. Absence-of-thought is Buddhism, so is presence-of-thought. Both presence-of-thought and absence-of-thought are one and not two. This is what we say, entering the state of nonduality. “It is thus stated in the Commentary of the Amitabha Sutra, ‘This Dharma is completely based on understanding that other-power is our own mind.’” Pure Land Buddhism is completely based on understanding that Amitabha Buddha is oneself; Amitabha Buddha is manifested by our own true nature, so is this body of ours. In fact, everything throughout the empty space of the Dharma realms is manifested by this true nature. In the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Buddha told us, “All buddhas of the ten directions and in the three periods of time share the same Dharma body. They possess the same mind, wisdom, abilities and fearlessness.” What does this mean? What is the relationship between the whole universe throughout the Dharma Realms and us? We are one entity. Buddhism is wise in saying that the five kinds of relationship taught in the Chinese ethics are one entity. The commentary further states, “If one denies ‘other buddha’, then one’s views are yet to be severed.” It means that you still have discrimination. “If one lays particular stress on oneself is buddha”, it turns out to be an attachment that “becomes a distorted self-view.” What should you do? You should let go of your discrimination and attachments because all these are nominal terms. Even Lao Tzu said, “Names that can be given are not real names; Dao that can be expressed is not real Dao ^[1].”