Difference between revisions of "Forty-eight vows"
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| + | [[forty-eight vows]] | ||
| + | [[四十八願]] (Jpn [[shijuhachi-gan]] ) | ||
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| + | The [[vows]] that [[Amida Buddha]] is said to have made while still engaged in [[bodhisattva]] practice as [[Bodhisattva]] [[Dharma Treasury]]. They are listed in the [[Buddha Infinite Life Sutra]]. According to the [[sutra]], [[Bodhisattva]] [[Dharma Treasury]] wished to create a splendid [[Buddha land]] in which he would live after [[attaining]] [[Buddhahood]]. Under the guidance of the [[Buddha]] [[World Freedom King]], he studied the [[characteristics]] of "the lands of two hundred ten million [[Buddhas]]" and then [[meditated]] for five [[kalpas]], [[pondering]] the features that should dignify his own [[Buddha land]]. After completing this [[meditation]], [[Bodhisattva]] [[Dharma Treasury]] made [[forty-eight vows]] concerning the [[characteristics]] of his [[Buddha land]], thus ensuring its sublimity. For example, the first [[vow]] states, "If, after I attain [[Buddhahood]], there are any [[beings]] of [[hell]], the [[realm]] of [[hungry spirits]], or the [[realm of animals]] to be found in my land, then let me not attain [[supreme enlightenment]]." Among these [[vows]], the eighteenth vow—that all who place their [[trust]] in [[Amida Buddha]] will obtain [[rebirth]] in the [[Pure Land]], excepting only those who commit the [[five cardinal sins]] and those who slander the correct teaching—is the one most emphasized by the [[Pure Land school]]. | ||
Revision as of 00:02, 24 January 2014
forty-eight vows
四十八願 (Jpn shijuhachi-gan )
The vows that Amida Buddha is said to have made while still engaged in bodhisattva practice as Bodhisattva Dharma Treasury. They are listed in the Buddha Infinite Life Sutra. According to the sutra, Bodhisattva Dharma Treasury wished to create a splendid Buddha land in which he would live after attaining Buddhahood. Under the guidance of the Buddha World Freedom King, he studied the characteristics of "the lands of two hundred ten million Buddhas" and then meditated for five kalpas, pondering the features that should dignify his own Buddha land. After completing this meditation, Bodhisattva Dharma Treasury made forty-eight vows concerning the characteristics of his Buddha land, thus ensuring its sublimity. For example, the first vow states, "If, after I attain Buddhahood, there are any beings of hell, the realm of hungry spirits, or the realm of animals to be found in my land, then let me not attain supreme enlightenment." Among these vows, the eighteenth vow—that all who place their trust in Amida Buddha will obtain rebirth in the Pure Land, excepting only those who commit the five cardinal sins and those who slander the correct teaching—is the one most emphasized by the Pure Land school.
