..续本文上一页esponses

　　After reading about this grade of rebirth, people may have different responses. The most common one might go like this: “It”s not fair! How can an evil person be reborn in “heaven” (pure land) with joy

　　 In our world, many good people continue to suffer from reincarnation with the Six Realms after they die. It”s contrary to the law of cause and effect.”

　　Some of them may even say,” Don”t let the evil people read this scenario of rebirth, otherwise they will never repent. This scenario of rebirth may encourage them to continue to commit evil acts and all kinds of immorality, because they may escape from “punishment” by simply reciting Amitabha”s names ten times near the end of their lives. I don”t like it and I don”t agree with it, so I will not accept it.”

　　Some Buddhists may feel a bit depressed and sneer: “In this case, what is the point for me to cultivate diligently, and to do good deeds

　　 Should I give up Buddhist practices and do whatever I want till I die

　　 As long as I can recite Amitabha”s name ten times at the near end of my life, I”ll just be reborn in the Pure Land anyway

　　”

　　These are understandable responses from ordinary beings. They think from their own perspective, on their own side, and of their own interests and concerns, but not from Amitabha”s perspective, on his side, and from his concern.

　　The purpose of stating the possibility of rebirth on the lowest level of the lowest grade is to reveal the greatest compassion and the most inconceivable power of Amitabha Buddha. An evildoer who is just about to fall into hell at death, might have a totally different feeling and response to this assurance.

　　The people in this grade are not Buddhists in their present lifetime who never read any sutras, because they commit such evils as the five gravest transgressions, the ten evil acts and all kinds of immorality. They have no chance to study Buddhist teachings. They have no wholesome causal conditions to hear even the name of Amitabha. As a Buddha, Shakyamuni is very anxious to help, save, and deliver them. The Buddha wishes these people to cease committing sin and return to virtue.

　　By expounding this scenario of rebirth, Shakyamuni conveyed a message to Buddhists reading the Pure Land sutras: that Amitabha is capable of salvaging the most evil beings even at the most critical moment of death. Thus, all should have full confidence and trust in Amitabha Buddha in his deliverance.

　　Deliverance at the Critical Moment

　　Why is deliverance most critical for rebirth on the lowest level of the lowest grade

　　First of all, the person is about to die. It is too late to hear and understand any profound Buddhist doctrines. He is too tormented by pain, so he cannot do practices like mindfulness in meditation.

　　Moreover, he cannot contemplate Amitabha Buddha thoroughly. What else can he do in this most desperate moment

　　 It must be something which is extremely powerful but also very easy for the dying and frightened person to do! And this is to utter, or even yell, sincerely and continuously ”Homage to Amitayus Buddha” [Namo Amituofo] ten times. Simply by reciting “Namo Amituofo”, horrible hellfire turns to splendid lotus flowers, as said in the sutras.

　　This extraordinary scenario is a perfect illustration of the fulfillment of the 18th vow by Amitabha Buddha. It goes beyond even the specifications of the 18th vow because its exclusion of sinful beings is exempted after Amitabha”s fulfillment of the vow. Those who commit the five gravest transgressions are supposed to be excluded from rebirth in the Pure Land. They are not entitled to be saved by Amitabha Buddha. However, the people that are reborn in this scenario are those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest transgressions, the ten evil acts and all kinds of immorality.

　　Again, if we interpret it from our own perspectives, we do not understand the hidden meaning of this scripture. However, if we think on the side of Amitabha, we should appreciate how compassionate and powerful Amitabha is. At the time Amitabha made a vow, he alerted us to not commit any grave transgression. However, if a person really commits the five gravest transgressions, Amitabha will deliver him too, provided that he repents by reciting “Namo Amituofo” sincerely.

　　The situation is similar to the relationship between parents and their children. Parents warn their child not to be naughty, like fighting with other kids, or they will punish them, such as grounding them. However, if the child really fights with others, their parents will stop their punishment and comfort them tenderly.

　　The Best Medication for the Most Critical Illness

　　Many Buddhists always set their target at rebirth on the highest level of the highest grade, because it is superior and rare, respected by others, and most recognized. Again, they think from their own perspective with respect to self-power cultivation.

　　In Pure Land Buddhism, one has to see it in another way, which is from Amitabha”s perspective. Amitabha is like a doctor who cares for the patients with the most critical illness, and cures them with the best medicine. In the scenario of rebirth on the lowest level of the lowest grade, we should know that the “medicine” of Amitabha-recitation is the most powerful, so it can absolutely cure the most critical “patients” who are on the edge of dying and falling into hell.

　　As a Pure Land practitioner seeking for deliverance by Buddha power, which kind of patients do you want to be, on the highest level of the highest grade or on the lowest level of the lowest grade

《Tenfold Recitation in Pure Land: Rebirth on the Lowest Level of the Lowest Grade》全文阅读结束。