..续本文上一页 not on “time” and “quantity”.

　　The Commentary on the Treatise of Rebirth provides a solid foundation on the establishment of Pure Land Buddhism in China. Master Tanluan was proficient in Buddhist teachings, particularly the doctrine of “dependent origination” in Prajna teachings and the doctrine of “real mark” in Tiantai teachings.

　　The former explains the universal truths in the mundane world, which is governed by karma, while the latter expounds the ultimate truth in the supermundane world, which is actually the pure manifestations of Amitabha Buddha, and is adorned by the “real” merits and virtues of the Buddha. The latter cannot be visualized by worldly ordinary beings because they are obstructed by their heavy karma.

　　By comparing and contrasting the two worlds, he clearly differentiated the nature of our world (known as “Saha World” in Sanskrit), and the Land of Bliss (known as “Sukhavati World” in Sanskrit). He also stated why the Buddha power is the most inconceivable out of the “five inconceivable powers”, including karmic power.

　　Master Tanluan stated that all worldly matters and phenomena are produced by causal conditions. They are impermanent and ever-changing, therefore what we do, what we say and what we think in this world is conditional and relative, “virtual” and “unreal”, like a dream or a soap bubble. However, the Land of Bliss is an unconditioned realm of nirvana, manifested and created by Amitabha Buddha, so all the merits and virtues he offers to sentient beings are permanent, absolute and real.

　　Reciting Amitabha Buddha summons him to embrace you. He dedicates his “real” merits and virtues to you in the form of light. This energy is real and can overrule the “unreal” karma that governs the fate of sentient beings in this mundane world. This is how the former far surpasses the latter”s power.

　　Master Tanluan also said that the number “ten” in the 18th vow is not a quantitative measurement. He defined “ten” as “single-mindedly” without any other alternative and intermittence in mind. “Even only ten times” means “one exclusively recites Amitabha”s name in a consistent and persistent manner till the end of one”s life.”

　　The situation is similar to the holding-fast of Amitabha”s name for one day, for two days, till seven days, the only practice leading to rebirth in the Pure Land mentioned in the Amitabha Sutra. We should recite exclusively “Namo Amitabha Buddha” hereafter, no matter whether we are walking, standing, sitting or lying down, whenever and wherever the conditions are, just recite exclusively, until Amitabha Buddha welcomes and receives us at the end of our life. “If one exclusively recites and recites in consistent and persistent manner until the end of one”s life, one”s chance to be reborn is ten out of ten, a hundred out of a hundred”, as said by Master Shandao in The Praise of the Rite of Rebirth.

　　Master Tanluan interpreted “Amitabha-recitation in ten times” with a set of eight questions and answers. This should be able to clear up any worries of most Pure Land practitioners. Most people worry about the influence of inconceivable karmic forces that drag them in the Six Realms, and they doubt the power of Amitabha Buddha that receives them to the Land of Bliss near the end of their lives. Tanluan”s inquiry helps us build sincere faith and the full confidence and trust needed for exclusive Amitabha-recitation. Purity of faith will be essential to lead us to the Land of Bliss of Amitabha Buddha.

《Master Tanluan on the Primal Vow: Should we recite Amitabha’s name ten times

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