“As we live, we must strive for a life of value.
Buddhism is different from philosophy,
for it does not only deal with knowledge and theory.
Rather, Buddhism calls for devout faith, developed morality,
and most importantly: spiritual practice.”
– Venerable Master Hsing Yun

The Amitabha Sutra is greatly influential in Chinese Buddhism.
Its practice has been highly emphasized in traditional monasteries and modern Buddhist temples.
It introduces the wondrous Western Pure Land of the Amitabha Buddha and highlights the importance to be reborn there for one’s path to the final enlightenment.

《彌陀經》裡明明白白告訴我們：「從是西方，過十萬億佛土，有世界名曰極樂。」

一個佛土就是一個三千大千世界；經過了十萬億個三千大千世界，就到西方極樂淨土了。

很遙遠嗎？其實不會的。那麼，淨土在哪裡？極樂世界在哪裡呢？

如果你肯反觀心中的世界，心清淨了，極樂淨土也會自然呈顯出來。

因此，要往生西方極樂淨土，先要把自己的心清淨起來，自己要承擔起自心的淨土。

人生處處，一切行事，只要無憂無苦、勿憎勿愛，只要內心淨化，

保有「唯心淨土、自性彌陀」的心念與態度，當下就是淨土了，

又何須再經歷十萬億佛土呢？(文/ 星雲大師)

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