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
3. Recite the Name of Namo Amitabha Buddha (Calling His Name)
三、称弥陀名号 （称名）
1.
In the Contemplation Sutra it is thus stated in the section on propagation:
The Buddha told Ananda,
‘You should uphold these words. Uphold these words means upholding the Name of Immeasurable Lifespan Buddha.’
2.
In the Commentary of the Contemplation Sutra, it is thus stated:
From the Buddha told Ananda, ‘You should uphold these words’ onwards means that the Buddha has given the instruction on the Name of Amitabha Buddha to be spread widely, to be propagated to the future generations.
We have already discussed the benefits of the two Doors, the Door of Samadhi and the Door of Mixed Practices, but by looking at the wish of the Buddha he wants the ‘Living beings to direct their mind to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively.’
3.
Direct our mind to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively
While we are walking, standing, sitting of lying down,
Without considering the time involved in recitation,
Without considering the length of our practice.
Be mindful of the Buddha unceasingly
In every mindfulness
Is known as the Karma of Right Concentration
As this is in accord with the Vows of that Buddha.
4.
Namo means taking refuge.
It also means bringing forth of Vows, the transference of merits.
Amitabha is the practice.
Because of such meanings, a man who recites Namo Amitabha Buddha is sure to attain a rebirth.
5.
With an unwavering mind we have good faith to seek a rebirth. We can recite Namo Amitabha Buddha the whole life or just manage to recite ten times before passing away, all of us will attain a rebirth, relying totally on the strength of the Buddha’s Vows.
6.
At a maximum we can recite throughout our life, or at a minimum of ten recitations, all of us will attain a rebirth relying on the strength of the Buddha’s Vows. That is why it is called Easy.
7.
In the 48 Vows, every Vow states thus:
On my attaining of Buddhahood, living beings in the ten directions who recite my Name and vow to attain a rebirth in my Land, that even if they can only recite ten times but are unable to attain a rebirth in my Land, I will not attain the Proper Enlightenment.
-Fractions on hidden meanings-
8.
On my attainment of Buddhahood, if living beings in the ten directions who vow to attain a rebirth in my Land should call my Name for the minimum of ten times.
If they cannot attain a rebirth by relying on the strength of my Vows, I will not attain Proper Enlightenment.
-Dharma Door on Opinions-
9.
On my attainment of Buddhahood, if living beings in the ten directions who call my Name at the minimum of ten times, yet they are unable to attain a rebirth, I will not attain Proper Enlightenment.
Presently that Buddha has already attained Buddhahood in the world.
We should thus know that the Original Vows are fully accomplished.
They are not empty Vows.
Living beings who call His Name will surely attain a rebirth.
10
Amitabha Buddha the World Honoured One has originally brought forth the profoundly deep Vows.
He uses his Name of bright illumination to gather in and transform all living beings in the ten directions.
If we are replete with good faith to seek a rebirth, recite His Name throughout our whole life or even only ten times, one time etc. before passing away, it is easy to attain a rebirth, relying totally on the strength of the Buddha’s Vows.
-Verses of Praise in bowing and attaining a rebirth-
11
All the mundane men will not be questioned on their blessings and sins, the amount of recitation, the timespan of practice, whether long or short.
As long as they can recite the whole life, or at a minimum of
One day or seven days.
They recite the Buddha’s Name Namo Amitabha Buddha wholeheartedly and exclusively they are sure to attain a rebirth.
There is no doubt in this.
-the meaning of mixed practices-
12
Whether the Buddha is dwelling the world, or has entered still extinction, all the mundane men who have committed the sinful offences, if they can direct their mind to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha and seek to attain a rebirth in the Pure Land, throughout their whole life or at the minimum of seven days, one day, ten times, three times or even one time, before passing away Amitabha Buddha and the Sagely assemblies will come personally to welcome him and he will attain a rebirth.
-Dharma Door on Opinions-
13
Why is it meant by bestowing protection and care?
Living beings who recite Namo Amitabha Buddha for seven days or one day, recite ten times, one time, one mindfulness will surely attain a rebirth.
The Buddhas give certification to this matter so it is known as the Sutra of giving care and protection.
– Verses of Praise on making obeisance to attain a rebirth.
14
Reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha throughout one’s life, or at the minimum of one day, at one time, one mindfulness etc. or from one mindfulness to ten mindfulness, at one time, for one day or throughout one’s lifespan can be explained as follows:
Once we have brought forth the mind to seek a rebirth, we should continue to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha as long as we are still alive without retreating from our practice as we only aim to be born in the Pure Land.
15
He only describes by relying on the merits of Amitabha recitation He will come forth to welcome us.
The listening to Sutras is not mentioned.
In accord with the Buddha’s Vows, he only exhorts us to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha and we will quickly attain a rebirth.
This is different from the Karma of mixed practices and dispersed practices.
16
By considering the other practices, they are also known as good deeds.
But in comparison to Amitabha recitation, all of them are incomparable.
That is why in all the Sutras, the praise on the merits of Amitabha recitation is seen everywhere.
For example, in the teaching of the 48 Vows in the Sutra of Immeasurable Lifespan, it clearly states the exclusive recitation of the Name of Amitabha Buddha to attain a rebirth.
Moreover, in the Amitabha Buddha Sutra, it mentions the exclusive recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s Name for one day or even seven days to attain a rebirth.
Besides, the Buddhas equivalent to Ganges sands certify that Sakyamuni Buddha’s words are sincere and genuine, not nonsense.
Besides, in this Sutra (16 Contemplation Sutra), in the explanation of Samadhi and dispersed practices, it stresses solely the exclusive recitation of Amitabha Buddha to attain a rebirth.
17
Amitabha Buddha stands in the space means that if a man directs his mind to have right mindfulness on Amitabha Buddha, to seek a rebirth in His Land, he will be born instantly.
-the meaning of Samadhi wholesomeness-
18
A man who renounces the exclusive recitation and goes forth to practise the mixed karma, out of a hundred practitioners, rarely can we find one or two who have attained a rebirth.
Among a thousand, rarely can we find three to five who have attained a rebirth.
19
But if a man directs his mind to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively, out of ten, ten will attain a rebirth. Cultivating the mixed practices without reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha sincerely, out of a thousand, not even one can attain a rebirth. – Verses of Praise on making obeisance to attain a rebirth
20
The Buddha Thus Come One appears in the world of five turbidities.
With expedients he teaches and transforms all living beings.
Some are transformed by the Buddha after listening to his teaching on wide learning.
Some are certified to the three clarity after listening to the teaching of little understanding.
Some have their hindrances cleared with his teaching on blessings and wisdom.
Some will sit in meditation after listening to the teaching of Dhyana mindfulness.
With all these Dharma Doors, he aims to liberate all living beings.
But none of them are comparable to Amitabha recitation, to seek a rebirth in the Western Land.
We can recite throughout the whole life or just ten times, three or five times, the Buddha will come forth to welcome us.
It is because the Magnificent Vows of Amitabha Buddha is profoundly great.
As such His Vows enable a mundane man to attain a rebirth when he recites His Name.
21
The magnificent Vows consists of 48 doors.
Yet Amitabha recitation is closest to our potential.
If a man can recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha is mindful of him too.
Being mindful of the Buddha exclusively, the Buddha would surely know too.
22
The World of Ultimate Bliss is the realm of Nirvana.
Cultivating in accord with conditions of the mixed wholesomeness might hinder us from attaining a rebirth. That is why the Thus Come One has chosen for us the most important Dharma. He stresses on the recitation of Amitabha Buddha exclusively.
23
The Buddha will not ask us about our offences, blessings, the length of our practice and the amount of our recitation.
In every mindfulness we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, harbouring no doubts.
24
It was coming to the end of the World Honoured One’s Dharma Teaching.
With a mind of great concerned he grant upon us on the Name of Amitabha Buddha
– Verses of Praise on Dharma Work –
25
Doing all the wholesome karma to reap the benefits of transference to attain a rebirth is incomparable to the recitation of Amitabha Buddha’s Name exclusively.
If in every thought we are mindful of the Buddha, this is seeking repentance constantly.
When a man is mindful of the Buddha, the Buddha is mindful of him too.
26
Throughout the whole life we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively.
The Buddha will come forth to welcome us at the instant we pass away.
27
We continue in Amitabha recitation at all times until our death bed.
In this lifespan we will recite exclusively without any hesitation.
28
Cultivating the myriad practices and transfer the merits to attain a rebirth enable one to be born in the Pure Land.
But the one most Honored Practice is to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha exclusively.
29
Pervasively, all living beings are exhorted to take care of their three Karmas.
They should recite Namo Amitabha Buddha while walking, standing, sitting or lying down.
30
Pervasively, I exhort all who have the affinities to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha constantly.
Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas will be our classmates.
31
A man who recites Namo Amitabha Buddha is the most supreme man.
May all be born in the Household of all the Buddha.
32
The sharp sword is the Name of Amitabha Buddha.
By reciting once all the sins are eradicated.
33
The Icchantika who slanders the Dharma, who commit the ten evils will have all their sins eradicated once they have decided to direct their mind to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha.
34
Amitabha recitation is the Door of Nirvana. – Verses of Praise on Pratyutpanna Samadhi
1
《观经》〈流通分〉言：
佛告阿难：「汝好持是语，持是语者，即是持无量寿佛名。」
2
《观经疏》释云：
从「佛告阿难，汝好持是语」以下，正明付嘱弥陀名号，流通于遐代。
上来虽说「定散两门」之益，望佛本愿，意在众生，
「一向专称弥陀佛名」。
3
一心专念弥陀名号，
行住坐卧，
不问时节久近，
念念不舍者，
是名正定之业，
顺彼佛愿故。
—散 善 义—
4
言南无者：即是归命，亦是发愿回向之义；
言阿弥陀佛者：即是其行。以斯义故，必得往生。
5
一心信乐，求愿往生，上尽一形，下收十念，乘佛愿力，莫不皆往。
6
但能上尽一形，下至十念，以佛愿力，莫不皆往，故名易也。
7
四十八愿，一一愿言：
若我得佛，十方众生，称我名号，愿生我国，下至十念，若不生者，不取正觉。
—玄 义 分—
8
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。
—观念法门—
9
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。
10
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。
—往生礼赞—
11
一切凡夫，不问罪福多少，时节久近，
但能上尽百年，下至一日七日，一心专念弥陀名号，定得往生，必无疑也。
—散 善 义—
12
若佛在世，若佛灭后；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。
—观念法门—
13
云何名护念？
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》。
—往生礼赞—
14
上尽一形，下至一日、一时、一念等；
或从一念十念，至一时、一日、一形。
大意者：一发心以后，誓毕此生，无有退转，唯以净土为期。
15
但述称佛之功，我来迎汝，不论闻经之事；
然望佛愿意者：唯劝正念称名，往生义疾，不同杂散之业。
—散 善 义—
16
自余众行，虽名是善，若比念佛者，全非比较也。
是故诸经中，处处广赞念佛功能。
如《无量寿经》四十八愿中，唯明专念弥陀名号得生。
又如《弥陀经》中，一日七日，专念弥陀名号得生。
又十方恒沙诸佛，证诚不虚也。
又此《经》定散文中， 唯标专念名号得生。
17
弥陀在空而立者，但使回心正念，愿生我国，立即得生也。
—定 善 义—
18
若欲舍专修杂业者，百时稀得一二，千时稀得三五。
19
但使专意作者，十即十生；修杂不至心者，千中无一。
—往生礼赞—
20
如来出现于五浊，随宜方便化群萌；
或说多闻而得度，或说少解证三明；
或教福慧双除障，或教禅念坐思量；
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。
21
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。
22
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。
23
无问罪福时多少，心心念佛莫生疑。
24
世尊说法时将了，殷勤付嘱弥陀名。
—法 事 赞—
25
一切善业回生利，不如专念弥陀号；
念念称名常忏悔，人能念佛佛还忆。
26
毕命为期专念佛，须臾命断佛迎将。
27
一切时中相续作，至死为期专复专。
28
万行具回皆得往，念佛一行最为尊。
29
普劝众生护三业，行住坐卧念弥陀。
30
普劝有缘常念佛，观音大势为同学。
31
若能念佛人中上，愿得同生诸佛家。
32
利剑即是弥陀号，一声称念罪皆除。
33
谤法阐提行十恶，回心念佛罪皆除。
34
念佛即是涅槃门。
—般 舟 赞—
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