阿彌陀佛的四十八愿 (THE FORTY-EIGHT VOWS OF AMITABHA BUDDHA)

善導大師是阿彌陀佛的化身。大師在長安倡導淨土念佛法門時，長安城中沒有一個不念佛；可見大師弘化衆生的力量多麽大。

善導大師曾說過兩句極重要的開示：“釋迦所以興出生，為說彌陀本願海”。

釋迦牟尼佛爲什麽出現于世？到娑婆世界降生、出家、成道、説法呢？只是爲了一個大原因，就是要說：“彌陀本願海”之故。解釋的清楚一點就是：世尊要說阿彌陀佛廣如大海的誓願！

佛菩薩各自發有大誓願，如：釋迦牟尼佛五百大願；地藏菩薩發“地獄未空，誓不成佛，衆生度盡，方正菩提”大願。僕賢菩薩十大願王；藥師佛事二願等等。。。

我們每天的課誦、唱贊：“阿彌陀佛大願王”。的確，阿彌陀佛的大願是一切大願中的願王！因此，善導大師說：“釋迦所以興出世，為說彌陀本願海”的話，是從大光明藏中流露出來的實語，確實是超越衆生情見之說。

古德說：阿彌陀佛“四十八願，全顯法身”。的確，阿彌陀佛發的每一個願，徹底體現彌陀的大智、大悲、大願，都是爲了衆生究竟成佛而發的。顯法身是“大智”因人人本有法身，所以可以救度成佛。一心救度，願原為衆生是“大悲”。徹底救度，普遍救度是“大願”；所以阿彌陀佛為“大願之王”！

阿彌陀佛發的大願，無論在過去劫中的衆生有無深重宿業；亦不管衆生是人、畜生、鬼，都可以往生成佛，這就是淨土法門殊生之処。因此說，淨土法門是千淨万論共指，十方諸佛同讚的法門。！

阿彌陀佛發“四十八願”所莊嚴成就的國土，種種清靜光明、種種美妙安樂、種種賞心快樂、種種演唱法音、受種種達乘法樂，一切增上，沒有退緣；所有囯中人民壽命無量，決定成佛！

現在，持名念佛往生極樂的法門，橫超三界，地委齊一生補処菩薩，成爲一切法門中最殊勝的一行道，万修万人去！

The Great Master Shan-Dao is the TRANSFORMATION BODY OF AMITABHA BUDDHA. When the Great Master initiated the Pure Land Dharna Door of Buddha Recitation in Chang-An, everyone who lived there recited the Buddha's Name. From here we can see how great the strength of the Great Master was in influencing the living beings.

The Great Master Shan-Dao had given the very inpoetant instruction. He said, "The reason why Sakyamuni Buddha came into the word is to proclaim the Original Seas of Vows of AMITABHA BUDDHA."

Why did SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA appear in the world? Why did he decend into the world, leave the homelife, accomplish the path and expound the Dharmas in the Saha World? This is all because of one Great Causal Condition. He wishes to tell us about the 'Original Seas of Eows of AMITABHA BUDDHA.' To make it clearer, The World Honoured One wants us to know about the Great Vows of AMITABHA BUDDHA which are as wide and deep as the great sea!

The Buddha and Bodhisattvas have each brought forth the great vows. For example, there are Five Hundred Great Vows of Sakyamuni Buddha; the Great Vow of Earth Store Bidhisattva who vows "Not to attain Buddhahood if the hells are not empty. He will only certify to Bodhi after crossing all living beings"; the Tenth Great Kings of Vows of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva; the twelve Vows of Medicine Master Buddha and many others.

During the daily recitation, we praise the 'King of Great Vows, AMITABHA BUDDHA' because His Great Vows are the 'King of Vows' amongst other vows. That is why Shan-Dao Great Master said, 'Sakyamuni Buddha, enters theworld as He only wishes to proclaim the Original Seas of Vows of AMITABHA BUDDHA.' There are the True Words which flow out from the Brightly-illuminated Store that far supass the understanding of living beings.

The ancients said, 'THE FORTY-EIGHT VOWS of AMITABHA BUDDH Areveal the Dharma Body.' Truly speaking, every vow which is brought forth by AMITABHA BUDDHA alms to guide living beings to become Buddhas Ultimately.He is endowed with Great Wisdom, Great Compassion and Great Vows. Because of Great Wisdom, the Dharma Body is revealed as every living being is endowed with the Dharma Body. So He is able to cross over living beings to become Buddhas. Because of Great Compassion, He single-mindedly brings forth the Vows for the sake of crossing over all living beings.To throughly and pervasively bring across all living beings reveals that His Vows are truly magnificent. So AMITABHA BUDDHA is knows as the 'King of Great Vows'.

In accord with Great Vows of AMITABHA BUDDHA, living beings such as men, animals, ghosts and others can attain Buddhahood once they are born in His Land even if they have committed deep and heavy Karmas in their prevoius lives. That is why the Pure Land Dharma Door is extremely wonderful and remarkable. So we can see in many Sutras and Shastras, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas praise and exhort living beings to cultivate the Pure Land Dharma Door!

The asrorned Buddhaland which is accomplished by AMITABHA BUDDHA in accord with His 'Forty-Eight Vows' is pure, brightly illuminated, beautiful and serenely blissful. The living beings are always happy after listening to the different Dharma sounds. They enjoy the Dharma music of Great Vehicle and their cultivation will only advance with no-retreat.

The lifespan of His people is immeasurable and all are certain to become Buddhas!

Now, the Dharma Door of upholding and being mindful of the 'Name' of 'AMITABHA BUDDHA' so to seek a rebirth in the World of Ultimate Bliss enables one to transcend the Triple Realms. The cultivator will surely arrive at the position which is equal to the Bodhisattva who will attain Buddhahood in one more lifetime. It is the most supreme because it is the easiest way among other Dharma Doors. It tens of thousands of people are to cultivate accordingly, all will be certain to arrive at the Pure Land!