第五疑
[5] [The] Fifth Doubt
[为何凡夫能生净土？]
[Why Are Ordinary Beings Able To Be Born In Pure Land?]
问：具缚凡夫，恶业厚重，一切烦恼未断，一毫福德未修。若西方净土，已是超出三界，过于天帝天仙百千万亿恒河沙倍。凡夫念佛，安能遂生其国？
Question: Completely bound ordinary beings’ evil karmas [are] deep [and] heavy, [with] all afflictions yet [to be] severed, [and] one fine hair [of] blessed virtues yet [to be] cultivated. If [the] Western Pure Land [Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)] already is [that] transcending [the] three realms, surpassing [the heavens] of heavenly emperors [and] heavenly deities [by a] thousand million koṭis’ Ganges Rivers’ sands’ times, [with] ordinary beings’ mindfulness [of Āmítuó]fó, how are they able [to] thereupon [be] born [in] that land?
答：此仗阿弥陀佛之力，非藉自己之力也。譬之跛人行路，终日不能数里，若乘转轮王之象宝，一朝能历四大天下。
Answer: This [is by] relying on [the] power of Āmítuófó, not relying on [the] power of oneself [only]. For example, [like a] lame person walking [on the] road all day, [is] not able [to cover a] few lǐs. If riding [the] elephant treasure of [a] Wheel-Turning King, [in] one day, [is] able [to] pass through [the] four great continents under [the] heavens.
又如寒士，欲亲近帝王，倘从州县小试，以望登科甲、位通显，则难而未稳，若能托胎而为王子，不过旬月之间，便与帝王同为一家。往生者之专仗佛力，亦犹是也。
Also like [a] poor scholar, desiring [to] get close [to the] emperor, if from [a] prefecture’s county’s small test, with hope [of] ascending [to an] imperial examination, [for a] position illustrious [and] influential, [is] then difficult and yet [to be with it] secured. If able [to] rely on [a] womb, then becoming [a] prince, not passing between ten days [and one] month, [is] then with [the] emperor together as one family. Of those reborn [by] focusing [on] relying [on the] Buddha’s power, [it is] also like this.
修行人若不求生净土，仅在恶浊世界修持，则头出头没，不知经若干年劫，尚不能成一罗汉，何况至于菩萨地位？
[A] cultivator, if not seeking birth [in the] Pure Land, only in [this] evil defiled world practising, [is] then [with the] head rising [and] head sinking [in the suffering ocean of births and deaths (生死苦海)], not knowing passing how many years [and] kalpas, [is] still not able [to] accomplish [as] an Arhat, moreover [to] arrive at [a] Bodhisattva’s ground position?
若修净土法门，只要精进修持，一心不乱，现世便可往生，竟从西方修行，永不退堕，直至成佛，最为捷径。
If cultivating [the] Pure Land Dharma Door, [there] only must [be] diligent practice, wholeheartedly without [being] scattered. [In this] present life, then can [there be] rebirth. Completely through [the] Western [Pure Land] cultivating, forever not retrogressing, directly until accomplishing Buddhahood, [this] is [the ut]most shortcut.
譬如竹中之虫，向上欲出，必要咬穿无数竹节，不胜其苦。若识得从旁便可咬穿，则横出甚易。所以修净业者，谓之横出三界，而何疑凡夫之不能遂生也？
For example, like that worm within bamboo, upwards desiring exit, must gnaw through innumerable bamboo joints, [is] not able [to] bear this suffering. If recognising [that] from [the] side, [it] can then [be] gnawed through, then [is] horizontal exiting extremely easy. Therefore, with those cultivating pure karmas, calling it [to be] horizontally exiting [the] three realms, then what doubt [is there], that ordinary beings [are] not able [to] thereupon [be] born?
玉峰怀西居士周梦颜安士氏汇辑
[By] Yùfēng’s Layperson Huáixī, Zhōu Mèngyán And Ānshì’s Clan Collected [And] Compiled
《安士全书》：西归直指：卷二：疑问指南
Ānshì’s Complete Book: Western [Pure Land’s] Return’s Direct Pointers: Scroll Two: Doubts’ Guide
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
上个疑
Previous Doubt:
第四疑
[4] The Fourth Doubt
为何偏念阿弥陀佛？
Why Be Particularly Mindful Of Āmítuófó?
https://purelanders.com/2025/10/30/4-the-fourth-doubt-why-be-particularly-mindful-of-amituofo
下个疑
Next Doubt:
第六疑
[6] The Sixth Doubt
为何一生净土不复恶？
Why Once Born In Pure Land, Not Again Evil?
https://purelanders.com/2025/10/30/6-the-sixth-doubt-why-once-born-in-pure-land-not-again-evil
全十疑
All Ten Doubts:
《安士全书》之《十疑论》篇
[44] ‘Ānshì’s Complete Book’s ‘Ten Doubts Treatise’s Section
https://purelanders.com/yilun
相关教理
Related Teachings:
《净土十疑论》:
Treatise On Ten Doubts About Pure Land:
https://purelanders.com/shiyi
第五疑：具缚得生疑
The Fifth Doubt: Doubt Of Attaining Birth Despite Being Completely Bound
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2014/04/5-how-can-ordinary-beings-reach-pure-land
