AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TEACHINGS PRACTICED AT THE PURE LAND LEARNING CENTER
"Pure Land Learning Centers" were proposed for the first time after World War II, when the respected Mr. Shia Lian Jui began promoting the exclusive study and cultivation of the Pure Land School. Teacher Chin Kung, with over thirty years of experience from propagating the Teachings, deeply understands the Pure Land School as the foremost method for helping living beings. In recent years, he has been tirelessly spreading the Teachings in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malay-sia, Canada, and the United States. The Teacher also lead in the world-wide distri-bution of over three million texts regard¬ing the practice of Pure Land, in the sin¬cere hope of bringing this benefit to the world. The famous Buddhist scholar Mr. Kuang Shi Mei once said, "If we can re¬ceive and uphold the Pure Land Teachings, not only would we eradicate future suffer¬ings, but we can attain peace of mind now. People who do not sincerely cultivate pure conduct would never be able to under¬stand or experience the happiness hidden behind the practice of this wondrous method. Likewise, those who do not enter the sea of Teachings would never realize the depth behind Pure Land. If we wish to spread the Buddha”s Teachings at this time and age, it is definitely necessary to bring forth the Pure Land Teachings."
I respectfully hope advisors from Pure Land Learning Centers all over the world would widely promote the proper education, explain the reasons behind cause and effect, praise the unsurpassed Pure Land Teachings, and persuade all people to recite Amitabha”s name and set their hearts on reaching the Pure Land.
The fellow members of these Centers should cultivate according to the Five Texts of Pure Land. Included are The Su¬tra of Amitabha”s Purity, Equality, and Un-derstanding, A Principle Explanation of the Amitabha Sutra, The Chapter of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva”s Conduct and Vows, The Sutra on Contemplating Amitabha and His Pure Land, and the Chapter on the Foremost Attainment of Great Strength Bodhisattva Through Buddha Recitation. These are all essential materials for our cultivation. Only if we have additional time and energy left from studying these texts may we seek further references of relation. We stress the importance of practicing what we preach, and through sincere practice, we will carry out our vows. There are Five Courses which we must diligently practice everyday. First are the Three Lessons. These include be-ing filial to one”s parents, being respectful and considerate towards elders and teach-ers, being compassionate and refraining from killing, and cultivating the Ten Kind Deeds. We should develop true under-standing, establish proper views, and pu¬rify our minds. We should also observe self-discipline by refraining from wrong-doings and practicing all kindnesses. We should give rise to a mind in constant and complete understanding, and sincerely be¬lieve in the truth that if we can recite the Buddha”s name as our cause, then attain¬ing Buddhahood will be our result. Fi¬nally, we should study the Teachings and do our best in encouraging others to walk the same path.
The Six Harmonies make up the Sec¬ond Course. We must learn to see things from a common viewpoint, only through this way can we share the same under¬standing. To preserve a harmonious as¬sembly, we must abide by the same rules while living together. We should never argue amongst ourselves and always share the same benefits.
The Third Course relates to the Three Learnings of self-discipline, concentration, and wisdom. The Fourth Course is the Six Principles. We should abide by these when dealing with others. It includes giving, observance of rules, …
《An Introduction To The Teachings Practiced At The Pure Land Learning Center》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…