Master Yinguo said, "Pure Land"

Author: Master Yinguo / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
10. The Buddha's teachings offer countless methods. By following any one method with a Bodhicitta and practicing, one can attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth and achieve Buddhahood. However, before attaining realization, there is a great difference in difficulty, speed, and duration. To seek the most perfect, sudden, simple, appropriate, direct method that suits all root capacities, benefits both the wise and the dull, serves as the culmination of the Vinaya, Doctrinal, Chan, and Esoteric schools, and provides the shortest path to truth for all sentient beings—none is superior to the practice of placing trust and aspiration in reciting the Buddha's name to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. This is because all other methods rely solely on self-power, whereas the method of reciting the Buddha's name also relies on the Buddha's power. Through self-power, one cannot transcend the three realms unless all afflictions are extinguished; through the Buddha's power, if faith and aspiration are sincere, one can quickly attain the nine grades of lotus blossoms. In this era, those who wish to accomplish the great task of liberation from the cycle of rebirth in this lifetime have no hope without this method. It must be known that the Pure Land method is universally perfect. It is like the bright moon hanging in the cloudless sky, casting its reflection on every river and stream, or like mercury falling to the ground, each drop being perfectly round. It is not only immensely beneficial for those who seek to investigate things and extend knowledge, understand the principles of nature, enlighten the world, and govern the state, but also for scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, the young and the old, and men and women who wish to alleviate their suffering. They will find their desires fulfilled and their wishes granted. (Continuation of the Collected Works of Master Yinguo) Preface to the Annual Publication of Wuxi Buddhist Pure Land Association
Annotations:
[1] Investigating things and extending knowledge: To examine the principles and laws of things and summarize them as rational knowledge. (Book of Rites, Chapter on Wood Studies): "Extending knowledge lies in investigating things; when things are investigated, knowledge will arrive."
[2] Understanding the principles and returning to one's nature: To trace the root and return to one's true self. (Book of Changes, Interpretation of the Hexagrams): "Understanding the principles and returning to one's nature leads to the fulfillment of destiny."
Simple Translation:
The Buddha's teachings offer countless methods. By following any one method with a Bodhicitta and practicing, one can attain liberation from the cycle of rebirth and achieve Buddhahood. However, before attaining realization, there is a great difference in difficulty, speed, and duration. To seek the most perfect, sudden, simple, appropriate, direct method that suits all root capacities, benefits both the wise and the dull, serves as the culmination of the Vinaya, Doctrinal, Chan, and Esoteric schools, and provides the shortest path to truth for all sentient beings—none is superior to the practice of placing trust and aspiration in reciting the Buddha's name to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. This is because all other methods rely solely on self-power, whereas the method of reciting the Buddha's name also relies on the Buddha's power. Through self-power, one cannot transcend the three realms unless all afflictions are extinguished; through the Buddha's power, if faith and aspiration are sincere, one can quickly attain the nine grades of lotus blossoms. In this era, those who wish to accomplish the great task of liberation from the cycle of rebirth in this lifetime have no hope without this method. It must be known that the Pure Land method is universally perfect. It is like the bright moon hanging in the cloudless sky, casting its reflection on every river and stream, or like mercury falling to the ground, each drop being perfectly round. It is not only immensely beneficial for those who seek to investigate things and extend knowledge, understand the principles of nature, enlighten the world, and govern the state, but also for scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, the young and the old, and men and women who wish to alleviate their suffering. They will find their desires fulfilled and their wishes granted. (P22-P23)