Episode 41 — 以念佛心 入佛知見

第四十一集視頻文字檔如下:

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以念佛心 入佛知見 – 第41集

One enters the Buddha’s insight through practising Buddha Mindfulness.

Why is this sutra equal to the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Lotus Sutra? As stated in the Commentary of the Amitabha Sutra, “One attains non-retrogression only by single-mindedly chanting Amitabha Buddha’s name.” ‘Non-retrogression’ here refers to avaivartika bodhisattvas who have perfectly attained the three non-retrogressions. The first one is non-retrogression in position, which is attained by saints who are not ordinary beings anymore. The second one is non-retrogression in practice, which is attained by the Mahayana bodhisattvas who are embarking on the path to Buddhahood, and not the path to becoming śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas of the Provisional Teaching. They have chosen the right path. The commentary further states, “Ordinary beings (sentient beings) who possess the buddha-nature will ultimately become buddhas.” This talks about our cause (of achieving Buddhahood), while Amitabha Buddha is our supporting condition. Therefore, only when you have the vow will Amitabha Buddha come to receive you to the Pure Land. “If one could truly believe in and practise the Pure Land method, one would not need to spend three asamkheya kalpas ^[1] to cultivate, undergoing the stages of the three vehicles (i.e., śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas) before attaining Buddhahood.” You will succeed in one lifetime. It is thus stated, “By chanting Amitabha Buddha’s name alone, one can attain supreme bodhi (i.e., enter the Buddha’s state) at once. Isn’t this something great?” What else can be called a great matter if this is not? Ordinary beings can attain Buddhahood within one lifetime. Let’s see if you have the fortune to become a buddha. Your firm belief means you do. Otherwise, you have no such fortune. If a person does not have such fortune, do not persuade him to practise Buddha-name chanting or else he would give rise to afflictions. Just happily accord with the condition. But if he has the fortune, we must encourage him to chant Amitabha Buddha’s name. What is the reason? Because he will surely succeed in this life. “Evidently, Pure Land Buddhism is exactly a direct and immediate approach to Buddhahood.” The Pure Land method is not a tortuous path to Buddhahood but is a direct one. “One enters the Buddha’s insight through practising Buddha Mindfulness.” Today, Great Master Hai Xian had set the example for us. He had been single-mindedly chanting Amitabha Buddha’s name for ninety-two years and had entered the Buddha’s insight. Using the teachings in this sutra as proof, I believe the Great Master had definitely been born in the upper level of the advanced grade in the Pure Land. “It’s precisely because of the causes and conditions of this great matter (i.e., achievement of Buddhahood) that Pure Land Buddhism has flourished.” Both the teachings of the Huayan school and the Lotus sect are on the great matter of becoming a buddha, but Pure Land Buddhism is the most direct and swiftest path to Buddhahood among the great matters.