为何专称佛而不观佛？
[43] Why Focus On Buddha Recitation And Not Visualisation?
问：《观经》专明作观，何谓不劳观想？
Question: [As the] Contemplation Sūtra focused clearly [on] doing visualisation [in its earlier parts], why say [to] not labour [with] visualisation?
答：此义即出《观经》。
Answer: This meaning [is] thus from [the] Contemplation Sūtra.
彼经因胜观非凡夫心力所及，故于第十三别开劣像之观，而障重者犹不能念彼佛，故于第十六大开称名之门。
[In] that sutra, because [the] superior visualisation [is] not that ordinary beings’ mind power [is able to] reach, therefore in [the] thirteenth [contemplation, it] separately opens visualisation of [the Buddha’s] inferior image [as his Manifestation Body (化身) instead of Reward Body (报身), which is easier to visualise]. Yet, [if] those [with] obstacles heavy [are] still not able [to be visually] mindful [of] that Buddha, therefore in [the] sixteenth [contemplation, it] widely opens [the] door of reciting [his] name.
今经因末世障重者多，故专主第十六观。
[In the] present sutra, because those [in this Dharma]-Ending Age [with] obstacles heavy [are] many, [it] therefore focuses mainly [on the] sixteenth contemplation.
当知人根虽钝，而丈六八尺之像身，无量寿佛之名字，未尝不心作心是，故观劣者不劳胜观，而称名者并不劳观想也。
[It] should [be] known [that] persons [with] roots, although dull, then [with the Buddha’s] image’s body of [one] zhàng [and] six [chǐs] [i.e. 2.72 metres], [or] eight chǐs [1.36 metres], [and the] name of Immeasurable Life Buddha [i.e. Āmítuófó], [are] not necessarily not [with what the] mind becomes, [the] mind is. Therefore, those [with] visualisation inferior [need] not labour [with] superior visualisation, and those [who] recite [the Buddha’s] name also [need] not labour [with] visualisation.
[Note: The taller is the standing height and the shorter is the sitting height. As Śākyamuni Buddha’s (释迦牟尼佛) birth in India was recorded in China during the Zhōu Dynasty’s (周朝), that era’s measurement system is referred to below, for converting to today’s metric system.
丈六 = 一丈六尺 = 1 zhàng and 6 chǐs
1 chǐ (尺) = 17 cm
6 chǐs = 6 × 17 cm = 102 cm
8 chǐs = 8 × 17 cm = 136 cm (1.36 m) = ordinary persons’ height
1 zhàng (丈) = 10 chǐs = 10 × 17 cm = 170 cm
1 zhàng and 6 chǐs = 170 cm + 102 cm = 272 cm (2.72 m) = the Buddha’s height
According to the Sarvāstivāda Vinaya Vibhāṣā《萨婆多毘尼毘婆沙》, ‘The Buddha’s body (is of) zhàng’s six, (that) ordinary persons (are) half of.’「佛身丈六，常人半之。」The above calculation fits the translation and ratio exactly, as ordinary persons’ height of 8 chǐs (1.36 m) is half of 1 zhàng and 6 chǐs (2.72 m). The Explanation above describes visualisation of Āmítuófó with his manifested height, or with that of an ordinary person.
While the Buddha’s actual height might seem incredible, according to Guinness World Records, the tallest man ever recorded is Robert Wadlow (1918-1940), who happened to have the exact same calculated height (2.72 m) as the Buddha: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/tallest-man-ever. Although the Buddha’s height is meritoriously and prominently tall to skilfully gather attention with his presence when teaching, different beings in our world perceived him differently, according to their karmas, with some even seeing him to be like an ordinary person.]
– 净土宗九祖蕅益大师
《佛说阿弥陀经要解》
– Pure Land Tradition’s 9th Patriarch Great Master Ǒuyì
(Essential Explanation [Of The] Sūtra [In Which The] Buddha Speaks [Of] Amitā[bha] Buddha)
Namo Amituofo: Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
下文: 为何不问念佛是谁？
Next Section: Why Not Ask Who Is Reciting The Buddha’s Name?
https://purelanders.com/2019/09/29/why-not-ask-who-is-reciting-the-buddhas-name
《佛说阿弥陀经要解》全英译
Complete English Translation Of The Essential Explanation Of The Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Amitābha Buddha
https://purelanders.com/yaojie
