第33集 — 性起跟緣起有什麼不同

The Chapter on Arising From the True Nature in the Avatamsaka Sutra states, “Thus Come One, Worthy of Offerings, Perfect Supreme Enlightenment” --- these are three of the ten epithets of all buddhas. The sutra states, “The true Dharma which arises from the true nature is inconceivable.” Our world arises from conditions and not from the true nature (we cannot imagine what is arising from the true nature). We are living in a world which arises from conditions whereby all phenomena come into existence from causes and conditions. By contrast, there is neither cause nor condition involved in phenomena that arise from the true nature. Which place arises from the true nature? The dwelling of all buddhas, namely, the Adorned Land of Real Reward (i.e., the One True Dharma Realm) arise from the true nature and not from conditions. What is the difference between ‘arising from the true nature’ and ‘arising from conditions?’ Phenomena that arise from conditions are subject to arising and ceasing, and are movable while phenomena that arise from the true nature neither arise nor cease and are immovable, as if they are forever in samadhi (a state of meditative concentration). Phenomena that arise from conditions are defiled and will give rise to afflictions, while phenomena that arise from the true nature are undefiled and will not give rise to afflictions. According to the 20th vow of Amitabha Buddha’s Forty-eight Vows in this sutra, people who are reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss will become Avaivartika bodhisattvas who have attained Supreme Enlightenment and seen into their mind and true nature. They dwell in the Land which arises from the true nature and not from conditions. There are human and heavenly beings in the Land where Sages and Ordinary beings Dwell Together in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Hungry ghosts, animals, hells (beings in the Three Evil Realms) and asuras do not exist in that Land. The four saints in the Ten Dharma Realms, namely, śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas of the Provisional Teaching and buddhas are present in the Land of Skilful Means with Remainder. The Six Realms of reincarnation are the defiled lands of ordinary beings while the Four Sage Dharma Realms are the pure lands of Sakyamuni Buddha. People who had seen into their mind and true nature had transcended the Ten Dharma Realms and are dwelling in the reward land (i.e., the Lotus Store World) of Sakyamuni Buddha. Where would those practising other Dharma methods be reborn in the future? Those who have truly succeeded in their practice and are perfectly enlightened will be born in the Lotus Store World which is no different from the Land of Ultimate Bliss. The difference is one must rely on self-power to be born in the Lotus Store World, but the Pure Land method relies on the power of Amitabha Buddha. That’s why other methods are called ‘self-power’ while the Pure Land method is called ‘other-power.’ We depend entirely on Amitabha Buddha who is extremely reliable. We must believe this and cannot doubt it. Since having the slightest doubt will eventually pose obstacles to our rebirth in the Pure Land, we must firmly believe in Amitabha Buddha’s power without a shadow of a doubt.