第10集 — 釋迦牟尼佛為什麼出現在這個世間

釋迦牟尼佛出現在這個世間，為什麼？正說就是為說《無量壽經》來的。四十九年所說不少的經典，那些經典是附帶說的，主要是說《無量壽經》，或者說淨土三經。《無量壽經》是概論，是對極樂世界方方面面做詳細的介紹。

Why did Sakyamuni Buddha appear in this world? His main aim was to discourse the Infinite Life Sutra. Even though the Buddha had expounded many sutras throughout forty-nine years, those sutras are considered his secondary teaching. His primary intention was to teach the Infinite Life Sutra or the Three Pure Land Sutras. the Infinite Life Sutra gives a detailed introduction to all aspects of the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

《觀無量壽經》它只講兩個問題，第一個是理論，念佛成佛理論的依據是什麼；第二個是方法，要怎樣才能夠往生到極樂世界，《觀經》就講兩個問題。理論就是「是心是佛，是心作佛」，我們就不再懷疑了。這個心是真心，真心是我們每個人都有的。

the Contemplation Sutra only addresses two issues. The first issue is the theory: what is the theoretical basis of attaining Buddhahood by practising Buddha Mindfulness? The second issue is the method: how can one attain rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss? The theory is ‘this mind is a buddha’s mind; this mind thus becomes a buddha’, so we won’t doubt our ability to become a buddha anymore. ‘This mind’ is the true mind which is innate to every one of us.

佛教沒到中國來，我們老祖宗就肯定了，說出本性本善，那個本性本善就是真心，就是是心是佛，是心是佛本善。現在我們念阿彌陀佛，往生極樂世界，是是心作佛。我本來是佛，現在要作佛，哪有不成佛的道理！把理給我們講清楚、講明白了。方法，佛說了十六種，這是大分，就是十六大類，每一類裡面很多，有幾十種、幾百種。

Before Buddhism spread to China, our ancestors had already confirmed that our innate nature is intrinsically good. This intrinsically good nature is the true mind (i.e., this mind is a buddha’s mind). As we chant Amitabha Buddha’s name now, we are bound to attain Buddhahood once we are reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Since I am originally a buddha, and if I want to become a buddha now, there is no reason I won’t make it! The sutra has clearly explained the theory to us. In regard to the method, the Buddha had expounded sixteen major categories, and there are dozens and even hundreds of methods in each category.

最後第十六，就教我們持名念佛，就是念佛的名號，南無阿彌陀佛，念四個字也可以，阿彌陀佛，都行。南無是皈依的意思、歸命的意思、禮拜的意思，佛的名號就四個字，阿彌陀佛。只要老實念，用真誠心念、用清淨心念、用恭敬心念，這叫正念。這種念法能幫助我們轉惡為善、轉迷為悟、轉凡成聖，有這麼大的功德。

The last, sixteenth category teaches us to hold on to Amitabha Buddha’s name by reciting ‘Na Mo A Mi Tuo Fo’ (Homage to Amitabha Buddha) or just the four-syllable ‘A Mi Tuo Fo’ (Amitabha Buddha). ‘Namo’ means taking refuge, entrusting one’s life to and making obeisance. The name consists of only four syllables i.e., A Mi Tuo Fo. As long as we honestly chant Amitabha Buddha’s name with a sincere, pure and respectful mind, it is called ‘correct mindfulness’. By chanting in this way, it can help us to turn evils into virtues, delusion into enlightenment, and to transcend the mundane and enter sainthood. We can reap such great merits!