淨土十疑论
Ten Doubts about Pure Land
天台智顗大师 著
Translated by
Master Thich Thien Tam
Question 1 第一疑
Great Compassion is the life calling of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Thus, those who have developed the Bodhi Mind, wishing to rescue and ferry other sentient beings across, should simply vow to be reborn in the Triple Realm, among the five turbidities and the three evil paths. Why should we abandon sentient beings to lead a selfish life of tranquillity
Is this not a lack of compassion, a preoccupation with egoistic needs, contrary to the path of enlightenment
问曰。诸佛菩萨以大悲为业。若欲救度众生。秖应愿生三界。于五浊三涂中。救苦众生。因何求生净土。自安其身。舍离众生。则是无大慈悲。专为自利。障菩提道。
Answer
There are two types of Bodhisattvas. The first type are those who have followed the Bodhisattva path for a long time and attained the Tolerance of Non-Birth (insight into the non-origination of phenomena). This reproach applies to them.
答曰。菩萨有二种。一者。久修行菩萨道。得无生忍者。实当所责。
The second type are Bodhisattvas who have not attained the Tolerance of Non-Birth, as well as ordinary beings who have just developed the Bodhi Mind. If they aspire to perfect that Tolerance and enter the evil life of the Triple Realm to save sentient beings, they should remain in constant proximity to the Buddhas.
二者。未得已还。及初发心凡夫。凡夫菩萨者。要须常不离佛。忍力成就。方堪处三界内。于恶世中。救苦众生。
As stated in the Perfection of Wisdom Treatise:“It is unwise for human beings who are still bound by all kinds of afflictions, even if they possess a great compassionate mind, to seek a premature rebirth in this evil realm to rescue sentient beings.
故智度论云。具缚凡夫。有大悲心。愿生恶世。救苦众生者。无有是处。
“Why is this so
It is because in this evil, defiled world, afflictions are powerful and widespread. Those who lack the power of Tolerance (of Non-Birth) are bound to be swayed by the external circumstances. They then become slaves to form and sound, fame and fortune, with the resulting karma of greed, anger and delusion. Once this occurs, they cannot even save themselves, much less others!
何以故。恶世界。烦恼强。自无忍力。心随境转。声色所缚。自堕三涂。焉能救众生。
“If, for example, they are born in the human realm, in this evil environment full of non-believers and externalists, it is difficult to encounter genuine teachers. Therefore, it is neither easy to hear the Buddhadharma nor to achieve the goals of the sages.
假令得生人中。圣道难得。
“Of those who planted the seeds of generosity, morality and blessings in previous lives and are thus now enjoying power and fame, how many are not infatuated with a life of wealth and honor, wallowing in endless greed and lust
或因施戒修福。得生人中。得作国王大臣。富贵自在。
“Therefore, even when they are counselled by enlightened teachers, they do not believe them nor act accordingly. Moreover, to satisfy their passions, they take advantage of their existing power and influence, creating a great deal of bad karma. Thus, when their present life comes to an end, they descend upon the three evil paths for countless eons. After that, they are reborn as humans of low social and economic status. If they do not then meet good spiritual advisors, they will continue to be deluded, creating more bad karma and descending once again into the lower realms. From time immemorial, sentient beings caught in the cycle of Birth and Death have been in this predicament. This is called the “Difficult Path of Practice”.”
纵遇善知识。不肯信用。贪迷放逸。广造众罪。乘此恶业。一入三涂。经无量劫。从地狱出。受贫贱身。若不逢善知识。还堕地狱。如此轮回。至于今日。人人皆如是。此名难行道也。
The Vimalakirti Sutra also states, “If you cannot even cure your own illness, how can you cure the illness of others
”
故维摩经云。自疾不能救。而能救诸疾人。
The Perfection of Wisdom Treatise further states: “Take the case of two persons, each of whom watches a relative drowning in the river. The first person, acting on impulse, hastily jumps into the water. However, because he lacks the necessary skills, in the end, both of them drown. The second perso…
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