An extract from the Complete Compilation of Great Master Shandao’s Teaching-
the Five Sections and Nine Rolls
五部九卷摘要-善导大师全集
一、弥陀本愿力 （本愿）
1. The strength of Amitabha Buddha’s Original Vows
1.
Question: The Buddha and His Land is the Reward Land.
As the Reward Land is most lofty and supreme, even the small vehicles practitioners are unable to attain it.
So, how can the mundane men who are filthy, with heavy hindrances can arrive there?
Answer: If we are to look from the angle of the filthy mundane men who are heavy in afflictions, there is no way for them to attain a rebirth in the Reward Land.
But because we are relying on the Buddha’s Vows as the powerful conditions, all the five vehicles of man, devas, Sravaka, Pratyeka Buddha and Bodhisattvas are able to enter the Reward Land.
2
In accord with the Sutra of Immeasurable Lifespan, the meaning of Magnificent Vows is thus explained:
All the good and evil mundane men who have attained a rebirth rely totally on the karmic strength of Amitabha Buddha’s Great Vows as an enhanced condition.
-an extract from the fraction on hidden meanings
3.
All the living beings who are born in the Western Buddha Land of Immeasurable Lifespan Buddha rely totally on the karmic strength of Amitabha Buddha’s Great Vows as an enhanced condition.
-an extract from the Dharma door of opinions.
4.
Living Beings who recite Namo Amitabha Buddha will have their many kalpas of sinful offences eradicated.
At their death bed, the Buddha and the Sagely assemblies will come to welcome them.
Their evil karmic bondages will not obstruct them. That is why it is known as the enhanced condition.
– The meaning of Samadhi Wholesomeness
5.
By relying on the Buddha’s Strength of Vows, a mundane can be sure of his rebirth.
6.
At the beginning as he had not encountered the Good Knowing Adviser the fire of Hell came forth to welcome him.
After he has met with the Good Knowing Adviser, the Transformation Buddha comes forth to welcome him. This happens all because of Amitabha Buddha’s Strength of Vows.
7.
A man with profound faith, without any doubts, will attain a rebirth relying on the Buddha’s Strength of Vows.
8.
The three positions of Inferior Grade are mundane men who have encountered the evils.
Because of the bad karma, they rely on the wholesome strength of the Buddha’s Vows at their death bed to attain a rebirth.
– an extract from the section on hidden meaning
9
By relying on the strength of the Buddha’s Vows, those who have committed the five rebellious acts, the ten evil deeds attain a rebirth with the extinction of their sins.
With a mind of repentance, even the Icchanatika who have slandered the Proper Dharma can attain a rebirth.
– an extract from the Verses of Praise on Dharma Work
10
Amitabha Buddha the World Honoured One had originally brought forth the profoundly deep Vows.
He gathers in and transforms all the living beings in the ten directions with his Name of bright illumination.
– Verses of praise on making obeisance to attain a rebirth
11
Here in the Saha world Sakyamuni Buddha exhorts us to seek a rebirth in the Western Land.
From that Land Amitabha Buddha comes forth to welcome us.
One Buddha is sending us to seek a rebirth, another Buddha is welcoming us.
How can we refuse to go?
12
All the Buddhas take pity on the suffering beings, especially those who often sunken in sorrows.
That is why the Buddha exhorts us to return to the Pure Land.
It is the same like a drowning man who needs to be rescued first.
What is the point of saving those who are standing on the shore? – Section on Hidden meaning
13
As the Magnificent Vows of Amitabha Buddha is truly powerful.
As such a mundane man who is mindful of him will attain a rebirth.
14
It is difficult to stay in the burning house of the triple realm, to take a rest here.
We should rely on the Buddha’s Strength of Vows to seek a rebirth in the Western Land.
15
In the forty-eight Vows the Buddha call on us diligently,
‘Do rely on the Buddha’s Strength to seek a rebirth in the Western Land.’
-Verses in Praise of the Dharma Work
16
The Buddha and the Sagely assemblies are replete with a golden body.
Every light shines on each other, the mind understands one another.
The adorned countenance is without any differences as all these are accomplished by the Strength of Vows of Amitabha Buddha.
17.
We are free from the disasters of long kalpas in the Saha world because of the Kindness of the Good Knowing Adviser, Sakyamuni Buddha.
With all kinds of expedients and thoughtful plannings, he enables us to choose the Door of Magnificent Vows of Amitabha Buddha.
18
Without the Strength of the Magnificent Vows of Amitabha Buddha, at what time, in what kalpas will we be able to leave Saha World?
19
Without moving away from the lotus pedestal, we are able to rescue living beings in the unending future time. – Verses of praise on Pratyutpanna Samadhi
善导大师法语
一、弥陀本愿力 （本愿）
１问曰：彼佛及土，既言报者，报法高妙，小圣难阶；垢障凡夫，云何得入？
答曰：若论众生垢障，实难欣趣；正由托佛愿以作强缘，致使五乘齐入。
２言「弘愿」者，如《大经》说：
一切善恶凡夫得生者，莫不皆乘阿弥陀佛大愿业力为增上缘也。
—玄 义 分—
３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。
—观念法门—
４众生称念，即除多劫罪；命欲终时，佛与圣众，自来迎接；
诸邪业系，无能碍者，故名增上缘。
—定 善 义—
５凡夫乘佛愿力，定得往生。
—观念法门—
６初不逢善，狱火来迎；后逢善故，化佛来迎。斯乃皆是弥陀愿力故也。
７生信无疑，乘佛愿力，悉得生也。
８下品三人，是遇恶凡夫，以恶业故，临终藉善，乘佛愿力，乃得往生。
—玄 义 分—
９以佛愿力：五逆十恶，罪灭得生；
谤法阐提，回心皆往。
—法 事 赞—
10 弥陀世尊本发深重誓愿，以光明名号摄化十方。
—往生礼赞—
11 仰惟释迦此方发遣，弥陀即彼国来迎；彼唤此遣，岂容不去也。
12
诸佛大悲于苦者，
心偏愍念常没众生，
是以劝归净土。
亦如溺水之人，急须偏救；
岸上之者，何用济为。
—玄 义 分—
13 直为弥陀弘誓重，致使凡夫念即生。
14 三界火宅难居止，乘佛愿力往西方。
15 四十八愿殷勤唤，乘佛愿力往西方。
—法 事 赞—
16 佛与圣众身金色，光光相照心相知；相好庄严无殊异，皆是弥陀愿力成。
17 得免娑婆长劫难，
特蒙知识释迦恩；
种种思量巧方便，
选得弥陀弘誓门。
18 不蒙弥陀弘誓力，何时何劫出娑婆。
19 一座华台未曾动，彻穷后际度众生。
—般 舟 赞—
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