Treatise of Amitabha based on Larger Amitabha
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A lot of people have told me Amitabha Sutra is "cheem"
if you understand the intention of Sakyamuni Buddha u will understand that
it is the easier to understand
i shall begin the Treatise on the Larger Amitabha Sutra
draw on Huang NIanzu professor commentary
Amituofo -
Faith and Practice is the vital component in Pureland Buddhism
People mistaken Pureland Buddhism as pessimistic ,negative school is they
do not see the noble teaching behind vows of 48 vows of Amitabha
and much due to the fact some practitioner have laid uncompetitive in this modern fast-paced society
the central teaching to abhor the World we live in and seek rebirth in the Western Paradise ,but we must always remember , building of wisdom and compassion with merit-making is also vital ...
One who greets other the name of Amitabha is the beautiful way of wishing the other party a long life, equanmity and happiness , with full of compassion and loving-kindness -
in the Pureland Buddhism , one must understand the Buddha -field is immense
and only does one realise the magnitude of the assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattva ,one readily accept thats one's possess the inert potential to become Buddha
If one keep on holding the fact of Amitabha Buddha or Sakyamuni Buddha and held in scant regard of all other Bodhisattva ,then the magnitude of one's heart diminish ,and thus one not able to enjoin with the Lotus Sea Assembly of Buddha and Bodhisattva -
in the Pureland teaching ,we usually see the word "zhen " meaning true
and the word "shu " meaning mundane
a person will never know his true heart lies in the world he lives in ,as he is muddling in the affairs of the mundane world
Only by being attain the Samma Sambuddha ,will one recognise the "true" self
acts and speak with one true heart to all -
thus we often heard the mentioning of "
"entering the one trueness state of dharmadhatu"
if we understand the idea behind this , our visualisation expanse beyond the horizon to the whole universe
and we break free from all office politics , children disobedience , boy-girl fren quarrelling , money argument and financial worries
Thus this is the very first step in recognising Reciting AMitabha is a beautiful of relating ourselves to others, with the Holy Empowerment of Buddha Amitabha himself
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One may ask ?
does it mean those who are heinous and harmless countless sentient beings like Terrorist will still get to Amitabha Pureland
the answer is ,it is difficult
at One's deathbed ,various kind of illusion including the dead transforming as
past beloved will disturb one ,at deathbed
it is pretty difficult for those who commit heinous crime to recite unwavering the Name of Amitabha Buddha
becos beautiful sights and sound will force one to go forward and plunge into the cycles of samsara in the Hell and Animal Realms -
Based on many years of self-examination and retrospective
I am affirm to the Pureland Buddhism as it is wonderful teaching by the COmpassionate Father , Buddha Sakyamuni -
therefore as a start , I beseech all to develop joyous thought when
seeing posting of Amitabha and other Buddha Pictures ,that is the first practice and in future i will explain the unfathomable Power of Amitabha in deliverance of all sentient beings from suffering
based on tientai and Huayen teachings -
The larger Amitabha Sutra comes about when the realisation of King Ajatashastru folly and repentance of indirectly causing death of his father
King Bimbisara
The Whole Sutra is divided into various section ,namely
the origins of Dharmakara Bhikshuni
the 48 Vows
the 5 pain , 5 fire of human world
Maitreya upholding the teaching to the future aeons -
Translation of the Larger Amitabha Sutra was,sadly the most incomplete during the Dynastic China due to Warring period in CHinese History
Bodhiruci of Pureland School from India translated 18 vows and
Bhikkhu Kang translated 20 vows
the incompleteness of the sutra left many in disappointment on the exact number of vows Buddha Amitabha made to the Pureland of Western Paradise
fortunately Layman Xia Lian , disciple of Re na rinpoche of the Gong Ge Lineage of Nyingmapa translated which is the complete and most unabridge version of Larger Amitabha Sutra
If one read the Larger Amitabha Sutra in detail , one will be able to hold knowledge of all the 5 translations of Larger Amitabha Sutra
Note : Tibetan Buddhism also have a translated copies of Larger Amitabha Sutra and emphasis on the Vows of Amitabha -
The teachings of Amitabha is encompassing and based on the common principle of Equality
it is the human wish to seek a place one is not as a beautiful person or an ugly person
everyone in the Pure Land wears the same clothes , given the same chance to practise Buddhadharma , having the same radiant and nice look and
more importantly the fair duration to attain enlightenment
As we know the World we lives in is beset with Natural Disaster and Human Wars
unsettlement , Lawlessness and Wars displaced many and many homeless , destitute, hungry and shelterless
Seeking rebirth in the land of the Western Paradise is a the only way to continue unwavering in the practice of Buddhism
with Buddha Amitabha Unfathomable Powers -
Professor Huang Nianzu is the disciple of Xia Lian Layman
And Huang NianZu professor also practise the Nyimgmapa school of Buddhism
This commentary draws reference from various Chan and Pureland reference
Homage to the Lotus Sea Assembly of Buddha and Bodhisattva
Homage to the Great Guide of Western Paradise Amitabha
Homage to the two Mahasattva ,Avalokiteshvara and Mahasamaprata -
The Sutra of Larger Amitabha Sutra starts with Buddha Sakyamuni in luminosity and radiant
Ananda then curious , enquire was the World Honoured One , contemplating on the past Buddha or the Future Buddhas
Buddha Sakyamuni replied the merit of making such question deliver many sufer sentient beings -
what is difference abt Pure land and the world we live in?
it is a very conducive environment and many have the opportunities to learn from learned ones at one place , be it the Pureland , Esoteric ,Chan ,Tientai ,Huayan or Yogacara school teacher
So ones progress fastest in Pureland
in the World, we have fatigue and mountain and great sea that prevent us from reaching our teacher often .
that present the greatest learning obstacle -
I must said I affirm Buddhism not because it is deep
but it answer alot of question in the world we live in
Why children die young ?
Why does earthquake maim and destroy life and properties ?
Why are we living in Singapore ?
Larger Amitabha Sutra gives the Pureland Buddhist a systematic treatment to his/her own practise and stated clearly IT IS NOT A GUARANTEE PASSPORT to WESTERN PARADISE
if one does not follow the Buddha's teaching and commit more harm to the human world , Pureland is not within one's reach
Some may ask ,When we recite Name of Amitabha
do we see Amitabha in person?
the answer is our Buddha nature have transformed to be Amitabha - only if we follow the teachings correctly