(2)An extract of the Dharma Door on Opinions by Great Master Shandao
- Amitabha Buddha said, ‘Those who desire to be born in my Land should recite my Name.’The Buddha said, ‘A rebirth is attained when one recites the Buddha’s Name exclusively.’
2. Those who recite Namo Amitabha Buddha and vow to be born in the Pure Land will attain longevity in this lifespan.
They will not encounter the nine kinds of calamities and disasters.
3. Living beings who recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively, the illumination from the Buddha’s Mind will always shine on them to gather them in continually, not renouncing anyone.
But this illumination is not for those who cultivate the mixed karmic practices.
4. For those who recite Namo Amitabha Buddha of the Western Land exclusively, from now on I will always send 25 bodhisattvas to protect these cultivators, just like the shadow following the body.
Throughout the days and nights, they will live in peace and bliss as the evil ghosts and wicked spirits are unable to disturb the cultivators.
5.Living beings who single-mindedly recite Namo Amitabha Buddha and seek to attain a rebirth will always be protected and mindful of by the Buddha equivalent to the Ganges Sands in the six directions. That is why it is known as the Sutra of Protection and Mindfulness.
It is called the Sutra of Protection and Mindfulness as the evil ghosts and wicked spirits are unable to harm the cultivators.
They will not contract diseases, fall death suddenly or facing disasters and difficulties.
All the calamities and hindrances are dispersed naturally, except for those who are insincere.
6.On my attainment of Buddhahood, living beings in the ten directions who desire to be born in my Land recite my name as little as ten times and they are unable to attain a rebirth by relying on my strength of vows, I will not attain Proper Enlightenment.
7.Living beings who are born in the Western Buddha Land of Immeasurable Lifespan rely only on the Great Vows of Amitabha Buddha, his karmic strength as an enhanced condition.
8.The Buddha says all the living beings are replete with a variety of root natures. Some are of the superior nature, some are mediocre, others are inferior.
In accord with their root nature the Buddha without exception exhort them to recite the Name of Immeasurable Lifespan Buddha exclusively.
At the death bed the Buddha together with the sagely assemblies will naturally come to welcome them and all of them will surely attain a rebirth.
9.If all the mundane men who have committed all kinds of sins decides to change for good, recite Namo Amitabha Buddha and vow to attain a rebirth in the Pure Land, they should recite the Buddha’s Name throughout their life, or only for seven days, for one day, or recites the Name ten times, three times or only one time, at their death bed, the Buddha together with the sagely assemblies will naturally come to welcome them. They will thus be able to attain a rebirth.
10.The Buddha in the six directions release their tongue as a certification for the mundane men, that they will attain a rebirth with the sins put into extinc
If a man does not attain rebirth relying on this certification, the tongue of the Buddha in the six directions will not resume its position after leaving their mouth. They will be rotted and decayed naturally.
(3)Extracts from the Praises on Dharma work by Great Master Shandao
1.Good and evil men among the devas and men can attain a rebirth. On their arrival at the Pure Land there are no more differences as all will attain non-retrogression.
2. By relying on the strength of the Buddha’s Vows, those who have committed the five rebellious acts and the ten evils will be born with their sin put into extinction. Even those who have slandered the Dharma, who are the Icchantika, if they can repent, they will attain a rebirth too.
3. The magnificent vows consist of 48 doors. Among them Buddha recitation is the best method. If a man can be mindful of the Buddha, the Buddha will be mindful of him too. If a man is thinking about the Buddha whole-heartedly the Buddha will surely know him.
4. The World of Ultimate Bliss is the noumena realm of Nirvana. It is worrisome for those who practise mixed good deeds in accord with conditions as it might be difficult for them to attain a rebirth. That is why the Thus Come One has chosen the primary dharma, teaching us to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha single-mindedly, whole heartedly.
5. All the Dharma Doors will bring us to attain liberation. But none of them are comparable to the attainment of rebirth in the Western Land by reciting the Buddha’s Name. We recite Namo Amitabha Buddha throughout our life, or just ten times, five times or three times. With the recitation the Buddha will come to welcome us. This is because of the magnificent Vows of Amitabha Buddha that a mundane man attains a rebirth just by reciting the Name.
6. I vow to be born in Amitabha Buddha’s realm of peaceful rest. After that I will return to the filthy world to cross over the devas and men. May I be endowed with limitless kindness and compassion that I am able to repay His Kindness throughout the long future aeons.
7. Amitabha Buddha’s strength of Vows bestows upon all equally. As long as we are willing to change our mind to rely on him, we will surely be born in the lotus.
8. It is coming to the end for the World Honoured One to teach the dharma. He gives this final instruction on Amitabha recitation with great concern, apprehension.
9. With the 48 Vows the Buddha calls us to return with such a great concern. With the reliance on the strength of Vows of the Buddha we attain a rebirth in the Western Land.
10. He will not ask us about the amount of sins and blessings. He will not ask us about the time span in cultivation. So, just recite the Buddha’s Name and do not give rise to doubts.
(4)Extracts on Master Shandao’s Verses of Praise on Attaining a Rebirth.
1. The profoundly deep mind is the genuine mind of faith. We believe that this self is the mundane man who is fully replete with afflictions, the one who is lacking of good roots. As such we are unable to leave the burning house but to go on transmigrating in the triple realm. Now we believe and know about Amitabha Buddha’s magnificent Original Vows and the recitation of His Name. If we can recite Namo Amitabha Buddha for ten times or even one time we will surely attain a rebirth. We do not even harbour one thought of doubts in this teaching so this is known as the profoundly deep mind.
2. Question: All the Buddha are certified to the three bodies when they have perfected the fruits of Bodhi. They are replete with compassion and wisdom. So, they should all be the same. There is no difference in them. In this understanding, we can face any direction to make obeisance to any Buddha, to be mindful of him. When we recite the Name of this Buddha, we should be able to attain a rebirth too. So why do you only praise the western direction and exhort people to recite the Name exclusively? May I know the meaning in this?
Answer: The certification of all the Buddha is the same and equal. But if we are to look at them from the angle of Vows and Practices, we cannot deny the existence of causes and conditions. This is because the World Honoured One Amitabha Buddha has brought forth the deep and magnificent Vows originally. He gathers in and transforms all living beings in the ten directions who recite His Name of bright illumination. If a man with good faith seek to recite His Name throughout his lifespan, or even ten times or one time and such like, it is easy for them to attain a rebirth as he relies totally on the strength of the Buddha’s Vows. That is why Sakyamuni and all other Buddha exhort us to face west to seek a rebirth. This is the difference in meanings.
3. When a man continues to recite throughout his life, out of ten practicing this way, all will attain a rebirth. Out of a hundred practicing in this manner, a hundred will attain a rebirth. Why is this so? This is because he has no other scattered conditions as he has obtained the right mindfulness. This is in accord with the Original Vows of the Buddha. This is not going against the teaching. This is in accord with the Buddha’s words. If a man desires to leave the exclusive practice to cultivate the mixed karma, out of a hundred, may be one or two will attain a rebirth. Out of a thousand reciters, may be three to five will attain a rebirth.
4. Those who exclusively practise Amitabha recitation, out of ten reciters, ten will attain a rebirth. Those who practice the mixed karma and are not sincere in the practice, out of a thousand reciters, not even one can attain a rebirth.
5. Believing in this teaching and teach others to have faith in this teaching, it is indeed very difficult, truly difficult. With a Mind of Great Compassion, we seek to spread this teaching pervasively to transform all living beings. This is truly repaying the Kindness of the Buddha.
6.The golden shine of Amitabha Buddha
Resembles that of a golden mountain.
His handsome countenance,
Shines forth in subtly shining illumination
That brightens up the ten directions.
Only those who recite
The Buddha’s Name solely
Are gathered in by the Buddha’s Lights.
We should thus know
That his Original Vows
Are the most magnificent.
7. The Thus Come One in the six directions
Reveal their tongue as an evidence,
To confirm those who recite
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Exclusively,
Will arrive at the Western Pure Land.
On their arrival, the lotus will bloom
And they will hear the Wonderful Dharma.
They will naturally be replete
With the Vows and Conduct
Just the same
As the Ten Ground Bodhisattvas.
8. The immeasurable bright illuminations of that Buddha illumine the lands in the ten directions without hindrances. He only contemplates the living beings who are reciting the Buddha’s Name. He gathers them in without renouncing anyone. That is why he is known as Amitabha.
9 For living beings who recite Namo Amitabha Buddha and desire to attain a rebirth, the Buddha will immediately send twenty-five Bodhisattvas to take care and protect the reciters. Wherever they may be, at whatever time, may they be walking, sitting, standing or lying down, whether in the day time or at night, the evil spirits and ghosts will have no way to harm them.
10 If there are living beings who recite and are mindful of Amitabha Buddha for seven days, or for one day, or if he can only recite ten times, or only one recitation, one mindfulness and such like, they will surely attain a rebirth. All the Buddha have sincerely confirmed this matter. That is why it is called the Sutra of protection and mindfulness.
11 If a man recites the Buddha’s Name and attains a rebirth, such a man is often being protected and mindful of by the Buddha in the six directions equivalent to the Ganges Sands.
12 On my attainment of Buddhahood, living beings in the ten directions call on my Name for only ten times and are unable to attain a rebirth, I will not attain the Proper Enlightenment.
Presently that Buddha has already accomplished Buddhahood. So, we should know his Original Vows, his magnificent Vows are not fake. Living beings who recite His Name will surely attain a rebirth.
Extracts from the Complete Compilation of the Great Master Shandao
二、《观念法门》摘要
１阿弥陀佛报言：「欲来生者，当念我名。」
２称念阿弥陀佛愿生净土者，现生即得延年转寿，不遭九横之难。
３但有专 念阿弥陀佛众生，彼佛心光，常照是人，摄护不舍；总不论照摄余杂业行者。
４专念西方阿弥陀佛愿往生者，我从今以去，常使二十五菩萨影护行者, 不令恶鬼恶神恼乱行者，日夜常得安稳。
５一心专念，阿弥陀佛，愿往生者；此人常得六方恒河沙等佛共来护念， 故名《护念经》。《护念经》意者：亦不令诸恶鬼神得便，亦无横病、横死, 横有厄难，一切灾障自然消散；除不至心。
６若我成佛，十方众生，愿生我国，称我名字，下至十声，乘我愿力，若不生者，不取正觉。
７若有众生，得生西方无量寿佛国者，皆乘弥陀佛大愿等业力为增 上缘。
８佛说一切众生，根性不同，有上中下；随其根性，佛皆劝专念无量寿佛名； 其人命欲终时，佛与圣众，自来迎接，尽得往生。
９一切造罪凡夫，但回心念阿弥陀佛，愿生净土，上尽百年，下至七日、一日、十 声，’’三声、一声等，命欲终时，佛与圣众，自来迎接，即得往生。
10.六方等佛舒舌，定为凡夫作证，罪灭得生。
若不依此证得生者，六方诸佛舒舌，一出口以后，终不还入口，自然坏烂。
三、《法事赞》摘要
１人天善恶， 皆得往生；到彼无殊， 齐同不退。
２以佛愿力：五逆十恶，罪灭得生；谤法阐提，回心皆往。
３弘誓多门四十八，偏标念佛最为亲；人能念佛佛还念，专心想佛佛知人。
４极乐无为涅槃界，随缘杂善恐难生；故使如来选要法，教念弥陀专复专。
５种种法门皆解脱，无过念佛往西方；上尽一形至十念，三念五念佛来迎；
直为弥陀弘誓重，致使凡夫念即生。
６誓到弥陀安养界，还来秽国度人天；愿我慈悲无际限，长时长劫报慈恩。
７弥陀愿力皆平等，但使回心华自捧。
８世尊说法时将了，殷勤付嘱弥陀名。
9 四十八愿殷勤唤，乘佛愿力往西方。
10 无问罪福时多少，心心念佛莫生疑。
四、《往生礼赞》摘要
１深心即是真实信心，信知自身是烦恼具足凡夫，善根薄少，流转三界，不出火宅；
今信知弥陀本弘誓愿，及称名号，下至十声一声等，定得往生；
乃至一念无有疑心，故名深心。
２ 问曰：一切诸佛，三身同证；悲智果圆，亦应无二；随方礼念，课称一佛，
亦应得生；何故偏叹西方，劝专念等，有何义也？
答曰：诸佛所证，平等是一；若以愿行来收，非无因缘。
然弥陀世尊，本发深重誓愿，以光明名号摄化十方，但使信心求念；
上尽一形，下至十声一声等，以佛愿力，易得往生。
是故释迦及以诸佛，劝向西方，为别异耳。
３念念相续，毕命为期者，十即十生，百即百生。
何以故？无外杂缘得正念故，与佛本愿得相应故，不违教故，随顺佛语故。
若欲舍专修杂业者，百时稀得一二，千时稀得三五。
４但使专意作者，十即十生；修杂不至心者，千中无一。
５自信教人信，难中转更难；大悲传普化，真成报佛恩。
６弥陀身色如金山，相好光明照十方；
唯有念佛蒙光摄，当知本愿最为强。
７六方如来舒舌证，专称名号至西方；
到彼华开闻妙法，十地愿行自然彰。
8.彼佛光明无量，照十方国，无所障碍；唯观念佛众生，摄取不舍，故名阿弥陀。
９若有众生，念阿弥陀佛愿往生者，彼佛即遣二十五菩萨拥护行者，若行、若坐、
若住、若卧、若昼、若夜，一切时、一切处，不令恶鬼恶神，得其便也。
10 若有众生，称念阿弥陀佛，若七日及一日，下至十声，乃至一声、一念等，
必得往生；证诚此事，故名《护念经》。
11若称佛往生者，常为六方恒河沙等诸佛之所护念。
12 若我成佛，十方众生，称我名号，下至十声，若不生者，不取正觉；
彼佛今现，在世成佛，当知本誓，重愿不虚，众生称念，必得往生。
摘自善导大师全集–五部九卷摘要
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