In the Amitabha Sutra, the Sanskrit version, it is thus stated, ‘Living beings are not born in that Land relying on the wholesome deeds they have done in this life.’
All the good deeds that they have done in this realm are not qualified for a rebirth in that land.
This is because they belong to the category of little causes and conditions of good roots, blessings and virtues.
If we rely on the very meagre good roots, blessings and virtues we have cultivated, the little blessings and bliss of men and gods, and we wish to seek a rebirth in such a pure Buddha Land, the Reward Land, it is not in accord with the working of cause and effect.
They are not in the same category, not on par.
One is the realm of Nirvana at the noumena level, and what we have cultivated belong to the goodness mixed with poisons, with leakages, at the phenomena level.
So how can we attain a rebirth?
This is the first point we must be very clear.
It means the wrong method must first be cleared away.
Next, we will discuss how to choose a correct method.
There is only one correct method. Not two.
It is as though in this house there is a heap of money. All of them are fake dollars except one genuine note. You take out the real note.
It means one real note is able to destroy all the fake ones.
Only the listening to the teaching of the Name of Amitabha Buddha and upholding this Name.’ Is the truth.
It is impossible to attain a rebirth relying on the blessings we have cultivated in the realms of men and gods.
We should be clear about this point.
The false views should be broken down so that we will not tread the wrong road as we know it is impassable.
We should not be arrogant and held on to inverted views. We must not let our delusion control us and run wild blindly.
How to go there?
You just have to follow the road which I have chosen for you.
Your mixed practices in accord with conditions are all useless.
To attain a rebirth in such a high, lofty and wonderful Buddha Land, you should follow the method that I have chosen for you.
The Buddha said,
‘Shariputra, a good man or a good woman on listening to my teaching should bring forth the vow to attain a rebirth by reciting the Name of Amitabha Buddha.’
Sakyamuni says such a man or woman is a good man, a good woman.
He does not take into consideration the amount of sins he or she might have committed.
For a mundane man in this world of five turbidities with abundant inverted views, with immeasurable sinful karma, he or she is still known as a good man or a good woman if he or she recites the Buddha’s Name.
As long as he is living one day, he will recite on that day. If there is still the lifespan, he will not rest, he will continue to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha. If he can live for two days, he will recite for two days. If he can live for seven days, he will recite for seven days. If he is going to pass away on the bed and can only recite ten times, this is also fine.
This is the meaning of the Buddha’s teaching: With the recitation of the Buddha’s Name throughout our life, ten times, five times or three times, the Buddha will surely come to welcome him.
Some say they do not have time to recite ten times, so how about three times?
Buddha says, ‘ok, no problem.’ Some say, ‘I recite one time.’ Buddha says that is fine, no problem. Some say, ‘I cannot say it out. The sound is in my throat, I got sore throat.’ The Buddha say, ‘No problem, ok, ok, ok,’
A Dharma Teaching by Venerable Master Shi Jing Zong, the Abbot of the Hong Yuan Monastery, Anhui, China. Title: the correct and incorrect method of practice
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