‘Essential Explanation [On The] Amitā[bha] Sūtra [As] Spoken [By The] Buddha’
《佛说阿弥陀经要解》
By Pure Land Tradition’s 9th Patriarch Great Master Ǒuyì
净土宗九祖蕅益大师著
「若欲研究，《阿弥陀经》有蕅益大师所著《要解》，理事各臻其极，为自佛说此经来第一注解，妙极确极。纵令古佛再出于世，重注此经，亦不能高出其上矣。不可忽略，宜谛信受。」– 净土宗十三祖印光大师《与徐福贤女士书》
‘If desiring [to] study, [the] “Amitā[bha] Sūtra” has Great Master Ǒuyì’s written “Essential Explanation [Of The] Sūtra [In Which The] Buddha Speaks [Of] Amitā[bha] Buddha]”, [with] Principles [and] Practices each reaching its ultimate, as since [the] Buddha’s speaking [of] this sūtra, [it is the] foremost annotated explanation, [the] utmost wonderful [and] utmost true. Even if [an] ancient Buddha again arises in [this] world, [to] re-annotate this sūtra, [it] also [will] not [be] able to be greater than that. [It] cannot [be] overlooked, [and] should [be] attentively believed [and] accepted.’ – Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng (Letter to Madam Xú Fúxián)
「信疑皆植道种，赞谤等归解脱。」– 净土宗九祖澫益大师《佛说阿弥陀经要解》
‘[May those who have] Faith [and] doubt all plant [the] path’s seed, [those who] praise [and] slander equally return [to the path for] liberation.’ – Pure Land Tradition’s 9th Patriarch Great Master Ǒuyì (Essential Explanation [Of The] Sūtra [In Which The] Buddha Speaks [Of] Amitā[bha] Buddha)
前言
Foreword
[1] The Essential Explanation’s Preface’s Opening Text
《要解》开序文
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/11/the-essential-explanations-prefaces-opening-text
[2] Explanation Of Amitābha Sūtra’s Name
释《阿弥陀经》名
The First Layer Of Profound Meaning
第一重玄义
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/11/explanation-of-amitabha-sutras-name-the-first-layer-of-profound-meaning
[3] Distinguishment Of Amitābha Sūtra’s Essence
辨《阿弥陀经》体
The Second Layer Of Profound Meaning
第二重玄义
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/11/distinguishment-of-amitabha-sutras-essence-the-second-layer-of-profound-meaning
[4] Amitābha Sūtra’s Principles
《阿弥陀经》之宗
The Third Layer Of Profound Meaning
第三重玄义
Six Faiths
六信
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/12/amitabha-sutras-principles-the-third-layer-of-profound-meaning-six-faiths
[5] Amitābha Sūtra’s Power & Function
《阿弥陀经》之力用
The Fourth Layer Of Profound Meaning
第四重玄义
Four Non-Retrogressions
四不退
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/12/amitabha-sutras-function-use-the-fourth-layer-of-profound-meaning-four-non-retrogressions
[6] Amitābha Sūtra’s Teaching’s Forms
《阿弥陀经》之教相
The Fifth Layer Of Profound Meaning
第五重玄义
Inconceivability
不可思议
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/12/amitabha-sutras-teachings-forms-the-fifth-layer-of-profound-meaning-inconceivability
[7] Significance Of Amitābha Sūtra’s Three Sections
《阿弥陀经》三分之义
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/12/significance-of-amitabha-sutras-three-sections
序分
Preface Section
[8] When & Where Was Amitābha Sūtra Taught By The Buddha?
佛在何时处教《阿弥陀经》？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/21/when-where-was-amitabha-sutra-taught-by-the-buddha
[9] Who Are The Arhats In The Amitābha Sūtra Assembly?
《阿弥陀经》法会有何罗汉？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/21/who-are-the-arhats-in-the-amitabha-sutra-assembly
[10] Why Great Bodhisattvas Seek Birth In Pure Land Too
为何大菩萨也求生净土
https://purelanders.com/2019/03/31/why-great-bodhisattvas-also-seek-birth-in-pure-land
[11] Who Are The Heavenly Beings In The Amitābha Sūtra Assembly?
《阿弥陀经》法会有何天人众？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/23/who-are-the-heavenly-beings-in-the-amitabha-sutra-assembly
[12] Where Is Amitābha Buddha & His Pure Land?
阿弥陀佛与他的净土在何处？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/23/where-is-amitabha-buddha-and-his-pure-land
[13] Why Is Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land In The West?
阿弥陀佛的净土为何在西方？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/24/why-is-amitabha-buddhas-pure-land-in-the-west
[14] Āmítuófó’s Pure Land’s Name & Its Four Lands
弥陀净土之名与四土
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/25/amituofos-pure-lands-name-and-its-four-lands
[15] Āmítuófó’s Three Bodies (Trikāya)
阿弥陀佛之三身
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/25/amituofos-three-bodies-trikaya
[16] The Four Siddhāntas In Amitābha Sūtra’s Preface
《阿弥陀经》序分之四悉檀
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/25/the-four-siddhantas-in-amitabha-sutras-preface
[17] The Three Provisions & Triple Gem In Amitābha Sūtra’s Preface
《阿弥陀经》序分之三资粮与三宝
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/25/the-three-provisions-triple-gem-in-amitabha-sutras-preface
正宗分
Main Principles’ Section
[18] What Is The Amitābha Sūtra’s Main Point?
何为《阿弥陀经》之要旨？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/25/what-is-the-amitabha-sutras-main-point
[19] Why Is Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land Named ‘Ultimate Bliss’?
弥陀净土何故名为极乐？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/26/why-is-amitabha-buddhas-pure-land-named-ultimate-bliss
[20] The Land Of Ultimate Bliss’ Seven Layers, Four Treasures & Four Lands
极乐世界之七重、四宝与四土
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/26/the-land-of-ultimate-bliss-seven-layers-four-treasures-four-lands
[21] Pure Land’s Ponds, Water, Sand, Stairs, Paths, Towers, Pavilions & Lotus Flowers
净土之池水、金沙、阶道、楼阁与莲花
https://purelanders.com/2019/08/27/of-pure-lands-ponds-water-sand-stairs-paths-towers-pavilions-and-lotus-flowers
[22] The Nature Of Pure Land’s Meritorious Virtues’ Adornments
净土功德庄严之性质
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/04/the-nature-of-pure-lands-meritorious-virtues-adornments
[23] A Day In The Life Of Purelanders
生净土者之日常生活
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/04/a-day-in-the-life-of-purelanders
[24] Pure Land’s Wonderful Birds & Their Wonderful Songs
净土之妙鸟妙音
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/08/pure-lands-wonderful-birds-their-wonderful-songs
[25] The Four Mindfulness Foundations, Four Right Efforts & Four As Wished Bases Of Power In Pure Land
净土之四念处、四正勤与四如意足
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/08/the-four-mindfulness-foundations-four-right-efforts-four-as-wished-bases-of-power-in-pure-land
[26] The Five Roots & Five Powers In Pure Land
净土之五根与五力
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/07/the-five-roots-five-powers-in-pure-land
[27] The Seven Awakening Factors In Pure Land
净土之七菩提分
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/07/the-seven-awakening-factors-in-pure-land
[28] The Noble Eightfold Path In Pure Land
净土之八正道
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/07/the-noble-eightfold-path-in-pure-land
[29] The Four Kinds Of Four Noble Truths In Pure Land
净土之四种四圣谛
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/07/the-four-kinds-of-four-noble-truths-in-pure-land
[30] The Thirty-Seven Path Grades’ Variations In Pure Land
净土之种种三十七道品
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/07/the-thirty-seven-path-grades-variations-in-pure-land
[31] The Five Kinds Of Triple Gem Mindful Of In Pure Land
在净土所念之五种三宝
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/07/the-five-kinds-of-triple-gem-mindful-of-in-pure-land
[32] How Are Pure Land’s Birds Special?
净土之鸟如何奇特？
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/05/how-are-pure-lands-birds-special
[33] How Are Purelanders Mindful Of The Triple Gem?
净土生者如何念三宝？
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/05/how-are-purelanders-mindful-of-the-triple-gem
[34] Pure Land’s Principles & Practices, Cultivation & Nature, Emptiness & Forms
净土之理事、修性与空有
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/04/pure-lands-principles-practices-cultivation-nature-emptiness-forms
[35] Why Is Āmítuófó’s Name Thus?
何故号阿弥陀佛？
https://purelanders.com/2017/12/01/why-the-name-of-amituofo-amita-buddha
[36] Significance Of Āmítuófó’s Accomplishment Of Buddhahood Ten Kalpas Ago
阿弥陀佛已成佛十劫之意义
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/04/significance-of-amituofos-accomplishment-of-buddhahood-ten-kalpas-ago
[37] The Nature Of Pure Land’s Śrāvakas & Bodhisattvas
净土声闻菩萨之性质
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/28/the-nature-of-pure-lands-sravakas-bodhisattvas
[38] How Are Āmítuófó’s Pure Land’s Excellences Unusual & Surpassingly Unique?
弥陀净土如何胜异超绝？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/28/how-are-amituofos-pure-lands-excellences-unusual-surpassingly-unique
[39] What Is The Nature Of All Born In Pure Land?
一切极乐生者有何性质？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/19/what-is-the-nature-of-all-born-in-pure-land
[40] Why Meet Together In The Land Of Ultimate Bliss?
为何在极乐世界俱会？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/28/why-meet-together-in-the-land-of-ultimate-bliss
[41] Why Is Upholding Āmítuófó’s Name With Faith & Aspiration The Main Practice?
为何以信愿持名为正行？
What Is Unsurpassable Bodhicitta For Pure Land Birth?
何为往生之无上菩提心？
https://purelanders.com/2019/06/30/why-is-upholding-amituofos-name-with-faith-aspiration-the-main-practice-and-bodhicitta
[42] Main Guidance For Main Pure Land Practice
正示净土正行
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/30/main-guidance-for-main-pure-land-practice
[43] Why Focus On Buddha Recitation & Not Visualisation?
为何专称佛而不观佛？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/29/why-focus-on-buddha-recitation-not-visualisation
[44] Why Not Ask Who Is Reciting The Buddha’s Name?
为何不问念佛是谁？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/29/why-not-ask-who-is-reciting-the-buddhas-name
[45] How To Know The Buddha Met When Dying Is Not A Demon?
如何知道临终所见是佛非魔？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/10/how-to-know-the-buddha-met-when-dying-is-not-a-demon
[46] When To Have Wholehearted Mindfulness Of Buddha?
应当何时一心念佛？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/06/when-to-have-wholehearted-mindfulness-of-buddha
[47] When Are The Ten Thoughts In The Pure Land Sūtras?
净土经之十念在何时？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/06/when-are-the-ten-thoughts-in-the-pure-land-sutras
[48] Why All Should Practise Niànfó Diligently Now?
为何应当现在精进念佛？
https://purelanders.com/2018/06/02/why-all-should-practise-nianfo-diligently-now
[49] How Is Rebirth In Pure Land Immediate?
如何即刻往生净土？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/06/how-is-rebirth-in-pure-land-immediate
[50] How Does Mindfulness Of Buddha Create Much Good Roots & Blessed Virtues?
念佛如何得多善根福德？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/03/how-does-mindfulness-of-buddha-create-much-good-roots-blessed-virtues
[51] How Does Sincere Mindfulness Of Buddha Eradicate Transgressions?
恳切念佛如何除罪？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/03/how-sincere-mindfulness-of-buddha-eradicate-transgressions
[52] Can Scattered Nianfo Eradicate Transgressions?
散心念佛能除罪吗？
https://purelanders.com/2019/03/13/does-scattered-nianfo-eradicate-transgressions
[53] Āmítuófó’s Name As The Ultimately Non-Retrogressive Vajra Seed
阿弥陀佛号为毕竟不退之金刚种子
https://purelanders.com/2019/01/14/amituofos-name-as-the-ultimate-non-retrogressive-vajra-seed
[54] Why Should Those Who Hear Pure Land’s Benefits Vow To Be Born There?
为何闻净土利者应当发愿往生？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/27/why-should-those-who-hear-pure-lands-benefits-vow-to-be-born-there
[55] Why Not Be Mindful Of Only Self-Nature’s Buddha?
为何不只念自性佛？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/27/why-not-be-mindful-of-self-natures-buddha
流通分
Transmission Section
[56] How All Buddhas Urge Faith In Āmítuófó
诸佛如何劝信弥陀
Be Not Extremely Stubborn & Ignorant
莫极顽冥
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/05/do-not-be-extremely-stubborn-ignorant
[57] Why Is Amitābha Sūtra Named The Sūtra With All Buddhas’ Mindful Protection?
何故《阿弥陀经》名为一切诸佛所护念经？
https://purelanders.com/2018/10/30/why-is-amitabha-sutra-named-the-sutra-with-all-buddhas-mindful-protection
[58] The Principle Of ‘Vow Now For Birth Now’
今发愿今往生的原理
https://purelanders.com/2018/10/26/vow-now-for-birth-now
[59] Why Is Buddha Mindfulness Difficult To Believe In?
为何念佛难信？
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/03/why-is-buddha-mindfulness-difficult-to-believe-in
[60] How To Transform The Five Defilements To Five Purities With Niànfó?
如何以念佛转五浊成五清？
https://purelanders.com/2017/05/08/how-to-transform-the-five-defilements-to-five-purities-with-nianfo
[61] Āmítuófó Is The Dharma From The Fruit Of Buddhahood
阿弥陀佛即佛果之法
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/03/amituofo-is-the-dharma-from-the-fruit-of-buddhahood
[62] How To Rejoice In & Faithfully Accept The Amitābha Sūtra?
如何欢喜信受《阿弥陀经》？
https://purelanders.com/2019/08/26/how-to-rejoice-in-faithfully-accept-the-amitabha-sutra
跋
Afterword
[63] Afterword Of ‘The Essential Explanation Of The Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Amitābha Buddha’
《佛说阿弥陀经要解》之跋
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/08/afterword-of-the-essential-explanation-of-the-sutra-in-which-the-buddha-speaks-of-amitabha-buddha
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
(Feedback is welcomed with gratitude for improvement.)
