Amitabha Christmas: November 17, the lunar calendar

阿弥陀佛圣诞：农历十一月十七

amitabha. November 17 is the Christmas of Amitabha. We are grateful for the mercy of Amitabha.

----Zhuge Changqing

amitabha.

Blessed life is limitless.

Every year, November 17 of the lunar calendar is the great Amitabha Christmas.

Amitabha, in the Western Paradise.

Zhuge Changqing studied Buddhism and found that "Amitabha" was originally a king who vowed to save the living, renounced the throne and became a monk. His name was Fazang Picchu. Later, he made forty-eight wishes and established a great paradise. Now, Amitabha is preaching Dharma in the Blissful World, and he will introduce ten predestined beings who are willing to go to the Blissful World. We want to thank Amitabha for making the Dharma more complete.

Amitabha, why is it called Amitabha?

Sakyamuni Buddha said in "The Buddha Says Amitabha Sutra": "Sharif. The Buddha is immeasurably bright, shining on the ten kingdoms, without obstacles, so it is called Amitabha. And Sheriff. The Buddha's life span, and its people, are limitless, and the monks only rob, so they are named Amitabha. "

This Buddha has unlimited brightness and life span, so it is called Amitabha.

"Amitabha" is a transliteration of Indian Sanskrit, derived from Sanskrit Amit ā Bha, translated into Chinese, means limitless sense, limitless light, limitless life, etc.

Amitabha is also known as "Namo Amitabha". Namo is pronounced n ā  M ó, derived from the Sanskrit namas, means to respect, convert, return to respect and return to life. Amitabha is the title of a man named "Dharma Zang" who has completed his studies in the past. All those who have completed their studies and come back to the truth are honored as "Buddha, Buddha, Tathagata, human and heavenly master" in India.

Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Mahashita are collectively known as the "Three Saints of the West" in the Western Paradise. The various sects of Mahayana Buddhism generally accept Amitabha, while the Pure Land Sect is characterized by its devotion to Amitabha.

In many Buddhist classics, Sakyamuni Buddha introduced the blissful world to all living beings in this Saha land. He said that it was located in the west of this world, and it was made according to the forty-eight wishes of Amitabha Buddha when he was a Dharma Tibetan monk. It has been ten kalpas. It is a hundred billion Buddha's land away from this Saha world (one Buddha's land covers thirteen thousand thousand worlds, equivalent to a galaxy). Although it is inconceivable to be separated from each other, those who are living in the Buddha chant can be reached in a short time because of the Buddha and Bodhisattva's power. They all live in accordance with their work and study Buddhism in that land.

The blissful world created by Amitabha has great karma with our Saha world.

Why is Blissful World called Blissful World?

The Buddha Sakyamuni explained in the "Buddha Says Amitabha Sutra": "Sharif, why is this land called Blissful? All living beings in this country have no suffering, but suffer from all kinds of happiness, so it is called Blissful.

And Sheriff. The land of Blissful Land has seven fences, seven nets and seven trees, all of which are four treasures surrounded by Zhou Za, so that country is called Blissful Land.

And Sheriff. In the land of Blissful Land, there are seven treasure pools and eight merit waters, which are filled with gold sand at the bottom. The four-sided steps are made of gold, silver, glass and glass. There are pavilions on the top, which are also decorated with gold and silver, glass, tridacna, red beads and agate. The lotus in the pond is as big as a wheel. It is blue, blue, yellow, yellow, red, red, white, white, delicate and fragrant.

Sheriff. The land of Blissful Land, such achievements are dignified. "

The Buddha once explained the good of the Blissful World in the "Buddha Says Amitabha Sutra". As long as you vow to go to the Blissful World, do more good deeds, continue to study hard, and have enough karma, you can live in the Blissful World.

Zhuge Changqing: The sentiments of living in this world can be divided into "top quality, top quality, and bottom quality" of "bodhisattva seed nature", "top quality, middle quality, and bottom quality" of "sound seed nature", and "top quality, middle quality, and bottom quality" of all living beings who have committed all kinds of crimes and even five evils but have not defamed Mahayana.

In addition, the top grade survivors are all born in the form of Huasheng, the bottom grade survivors are born in the lotus bud of the Seven Treasure Lotus Pond in the border city (although the name is Lianbao, it is the same as the palace), and the middle grade survivors are born in the form of Huasheng and viviparous.

Blissful world, let people have a spiritual destination.

The Blissful World, also known as "Western Blissful World", "Happy World", "Western Pure Land", and "Amitabha Pure Land", is the solemn and pure Pure Land of Buddha that Amitabha felt when he became a Buddha according to the forty-eight vows made by his local practice.

Zhuge Changqing: The Buddha said the Amitabha Sutra states that the land of the Buddha has no suffering for all living beings in its country, but has all kinds of happiness, so it is named Blissful. In addition, the same scripture also shows that in the land of Blissful Land, there are seven pillars, seven nets and seven trees, all surrounded by four treasures, and there are also seven treasure pools, which are filled with water of eight merits, and the bottom of the pool is covered with pure gold sand. The four-sided steps are made of gold, silver, glass and glass. There are pavilions, which are also decorated with gold, silver, colored glaze, glass, Chedacna, red beads and agate. The lotus in the pond is as big as a wheel, with blue light, yellow light, red light, white light and delicate fragrance. In that country, there are all kinds of wonderful and variegated birds that the Amitabha Buddha has hallucinated - white cranes, peacocks, parrots, Buddhist relics, Kaling Pinga, and birds of common life. They produce a harmonious and elegant sound at six hours of the day and night, and perform the five roots, five forces, seven Bodhi points, and eight holy path points, so that all living beings in the land can hear the sound already, and know the chanting of Buddha, Dharma, and monk.

Amitabha Buddha is golden. Love is bright. The pekoe is like turning five Xumi. Clear the four seas. There are billions of Buddhas in the light. There is no limit to the number of Bodhisattvas. Forty-eight is willing to sacrifice all sentient beings. The nine-grade salty order is on the other shore.

The Buddha Sakyamuni Buddha and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Ten Methodologies all praised the immeasurable merits of Amitabha.

In the existing Mahayana Sutra, there are more than 200 records of the Amitabha and the Pure Land of Blissful, which shows that the faith of Amitabha and the doctrine of Pure Land are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

With regard to the story of Amitabha, Zhuge Changqing recommended that you read the "Buddha said Amitabha Sutra" and "Buddha said Infinite Life Sutra". We thank Buddha Sakyamuni for introducing the blissful world and Amitabha to us.

Amitabha, Christmas is on November 17 of the lunar calendar. Amitabha is the leader of the Western Paradise. It is called Mituo. Sanskrit amita, free translation infinite. There is also a free translation of Sanskrit's name, which means infinite life and infinite light.

If people in the world do not accumulate good deeds after death, they will follow the karma and circulate within the six paths of reincarnation. The six paths are the path of heaven, humanity, Ashura, ghost, animal and hell. The wheel turns around and always suffers in the six paths. Even after being born in the heaven, the gods will still descend to the earth and flow again. When the karma is heavy, they will turn into the animal path and the ghost path again. The most unfortunate thing is to fall into the hell path and take the initiative to go through the thousand calamities to find the infinite. However, as long as you recite Amitabha diligently, Amitabha will personally lead the world at the end of life, and live in the western paradise without suffering from reincarnation. Zhuge Changqing: If you continue to do good and accumulate virtue, and continue to make progress, you can be reborn in the Western Paradise. Beginners can practice the "five in one" of Zhuge Changqing's traditional Chinese learning, and promote good fortune and good fortune. Promote the early Buddhahood.

As for the origin of the name of Amitabha, according to the Amitabha Sutra translated by Kumarashi, this Buddha has unlimited brightness and life span, so it is called Amitabha. However, according to the Vatican Amitabha Sutra and the Sutra of Praise for Pure Land Buddha, this Buddha has a countless life span and boundless wonderful light, so it is called the Infinite Life Buddha and Infinite Light Buddha. One Buddha has two different names, which are not seen by other Buddhas. In the early classics such as the Banzhou Samadhi Sutra, the Great Amitabha Sutra and the Vimalakirti Sutra, there is only the title of Amitabha, so it is inferred that the title of Infinite Life and Infinite Light is established by the descendants according to the original meaning of its name. According to the Sutra of Equal Consciousness, the Sutra of Amitabha, and the Sutra of Praise for the Pure Land Buddha, Amitabha is known as the Infinite Pure Buddha, and the world where he lives is called the Pure World and the Blissful World.

Amitabha is the origin of the Buddha's path. According to the Infinite Life Sutra, when the King Buddha lived in the world for a long time, there was a king who had the supreme conscience to renounce the throne and become a monk, named Fazang Picchu. He practiced at the King Buddha's place in the world, knew the Pure Land of the Buddhas, and made a forty-eight wish after five calamities. Since then, he has accumulated merits and virtues, and before ten years ago, he was willing to complete the journey and become Amitabha Buddha. In the west, which is one hundred thousand billion Buddha's land, he reported the blissful Pure Land. So far, it is still said in the other land that the leader of the Pure Earth Gate can lead the Buddhist chanters to the Pure Land of the West, so it is also known as the Guide Buddha. The three statues of Amitabha are usually flanked by Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva, and together with these two figures, they are called the Three Saints of the West. Zhuge Changqing, today's blissful world, was founded by the vow of Amitabha.

In the existing Mahayana Sutra, there are more than 200 records of the Amitabha and the Pure Land of Blissful, which shows that the faith of Amitabha and the doctrine of Pure Land are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. According to the Samadhi Sutra of the Banzhou, Amitabha has thirty-two phases, which are bright and perfectly upright.

In addition, according to the view of the Infinite Life Sutra, the body of the Infinite Life Buddha is like the color of the floating sandalwood and gold in the sky at ten billion nights, and its height is six trillion yuan, which is determined by the Ganges River sand. The white hair between the eyebrows turns to the right. The size of the white hair is like five times the height and breadth of Xumi Mountain; Its eyes are clear and clear, and the size of the eyes is as wide as four times the size of the sea water. It has 84 thousand aspects, 84 thousand good aspects and 84 thousand light aspects. It shines all over the world and absorbs the sentient beings who chant Buddha. In Tibet, Amitabha is regarded as the two Buddhas of Infinite Light and Infinite Life. If you pray for wisdom, you will convert to the Infinite Light Buddha; If you pray for longevity and happiness, you will convert to the Buddha of Infinite Life. In Esoteric Buddhism, the Buddha Amitabha symbolizes the wonderful observation of the Tathagata Dharma body, and is called the King of Ganlu. In the mandala of the Vajra, the Buddha Amitabha, known as the body of wisdom, is located in the center of the western moon. Its body is golden, with Samadhi seals, and its secret number is Pure Vajra. Samaya is a lotus. In the mandala of the Tibetan kingdom, it is called the Infinite Life Tathagata, which is located in the west of the eight leaves of the central Taiwan. Its body is white yellow or true gold, with eyes closed, wearing light clothes, sitting on the lotus with folded hands, and forming a set seal.

Amitabha.

Amitabha Buddha, before becoming a Buddha, was the king of Miaoxi Kingdom in the past, named Qiao Shijia. His father's name was the Wheel King on the Moon, and his mother was Shusheng Miaoyan. At that time, there was a Buddha who was born and called the King of the World (the 53rd Buddha below the Dingguang Buddha). When King Qiaoshijia heard the Buddha's words, he was happy and cheerful, so he became supreme Bodhi, abandoned the throne of the state, and became a monk after converting to the king Buddha of the world. He was given the name Fazang bhikkhu. Zhuge Changqing: Amitabha, he was originally a king. He made a vow to save the people, and later became a monk. His name was Fazang Picchu. Dharma bhikkhu made a great wish to establish the Blissful World, become a Buddha and preach Dharma in the Blissful World.

His will to practice is to save the suffering of all living beings and to make a broad wish. Since then, he has loved to practice special activities and hopes to achieve the supreme Buddha fruit. And for the distressed beings who have fallen into the sea of misery, they especially want to give them great happiness and benefits to meet their wishes. So he carefully thought that to achieve this goal, he must first establish a world of extreme bliss to accommodate all living beings, and then set up a simplest way to make all living beings easy to practice and like to live in his country.

At that time, Dharma Tibetan monk did not know what Buddha's land was the most transcendent? The easiest way to practice is to achieve great wishes and achieve great achievements. So the monk of Dharma Zang reached the front of the Buddha again, bowed his head, knelt down and folded his hands, praised the Buddha, and told the Buddha's words: (I have the heart of supreme enlightenment, only wish the Buddha would widely publicize the majestic Pure Land of the ten Buddhas, and all the methods of practice. I heard that I should have done what I said, and achieved what I wanted, so that I can quickly achieve enlightenment and pull out all the suffering).

The king Buddha is at ease in the world. I am grateful for his ambition and his wisdom, that is, to open up all the practice gates, and to speak widely about the realm of the 21 trillion Buddhas. At that time, the Dharma bhikkhu, relying on the Buddha's thoughtless divine power, and his sincere and responsive wish, immediately revealed the land of the Buddhas. After hearing what the Buddha said, the Buddhist monk was more delighted and enthusiastic. He initiated the supreme wish of victory. He carefully selected the best and gave up the worst in the land of the Buddhas. Only the Western Pure Land was the most successful and most comfortable. Also, in the past, because of careful examination in practice, we chose the easiest way to practice, which is more convenient than the method of chanting Buddha. At the right time, the White Buddha said, "I have absorbed the majestic Buddha's land, and have gone on a clean journey.". At that time, Buddha told Dharma Zang, "You can say it today and please all the people". Dharma Tibetan monk Bai Buddha said, "Only look down and listen as I wish, and then make forty-eight wishes in front of the Buddha", to create a new blissful world, with nine levels of breadth and spirit, and wish to be majestic and blissful, and wish to be uplifted.

At that time, the Dharma is deeply rooted in thinking. If it is not the most wonderful Pure Land, I hope that there will be few people living in the past, or that it is difficult to practice because of life. Even though it is the most wonderful Pure Land, how magnificent it is, it can not widely absorb all living beings and survive in our country. How can we repay our great wish? So we take the majesty of the Western Paradise as the result of the destination of all living beings, and advocate that chanting Buddhism is the reason for all living beings to practice their past lives. Such a great cause is not a great wish, but a great effort. How easy it is to achieve! Therefore, Dharma bhikkhu immediately set out to practice according to this vow. He was brave and vigorous, persevering, and good deeds never retreated. He was born as a king, or rich and powerful, or as a bhikkhu, or as a man of heaven. He often provided for all Buddhas with four things, respected all Buddhas, widely practiced all kinds of practices, and planted more virtues, even practiced all kinds of difficult ascetic practices. The ascetic practices that were difficult to perform and unbearable to endure were all practiced. This shows that Dharma bhikkhu's intentions.

Fazang Picchu used to be in the past for a long time. In the process of good practice, the name of the world was Centilan. At that time, the religious leader was called the Treasure Tathagata. At the same time, Fazang Picchu was the Wheel King. The Treasure Tathagata once said to the teacher, "You should be a Buddha in the afterlife, with the name of Infinite Life, the world name of peace, and the land of the country is clean."

It is important to note that the Dharma Tibetan monk's desire to achieve this great ambition is no longer a matter of one or two or even a million kalpas. The treasure can only be achieved through the long-term cultivation of countless kalpas without center, so as to achieve this incredible virtue of ten thousand actions, and to glorify this unique Western Pure Land. At present, it has been a complete achievement of great cause, but also in the Blissful Kingdom, it has been ten kalpas long to hang down and be courteous. Why don't we make a vow to survive as soon as possible, And what about those who are willing to be drunk and dreamy for a long time, wandering in the sea of life and death? Zhuge Changqing: The great wish will be earth-shaking. It will be realized if we continue to pursue and work hard.

Amitabha, the origin of Christmas: from the incarnation of Buddha -- Master Yongming Longevity

Zen Master Yongming Yanshou is the third generation founder of the Fayan Sect and the founder of the Pure Land Sect. Zhuge Changqing: The Yongming Longevity Master is the embodiment of Amitabha.

He has written many books, such as "Heart Fu Heart Sutra", which is to clarify the mind and see nature; "All good things return to the same place" is a comprehensive approach; One hundred volumes of the "Records of Religious Religions" are designed to fully understand the essence of flowers, integrate the interests of various religious theories and take them into one heart. The Japanese divide Buddhism into 12 sects, and the Chinese divide Buddhism into 10 sects. The "Zong Jing Lu" takes the heart as the sect, and the understanding as the principle. Although the words are deep and shallow, they are all from the source of poverty. They show this heart in a subtle way, to ward off evil and supplement the right, so that future generations will not go astray. He said many things in his life, and never said anything bad about the sect. Since he learned from the sect, why should he promote the Pure Land? For people who have great enlightenment, the law is perfect, meditation is the way, chanting Buddha is the way, and even digging the earth is the way. In order to save the poor people in the end of the law, he studied the Pure Land and was the sixth ancestor of the Pure Land Sect. He praised the Pure Land all his life and everyone respected it. After the death, a pagoda was built in Jingci Temple to commemorate it.

According to the Buddha Tongji, a monk came from Linchuan and said, "I have to be released when I am ill. When I see a monk statue in the temple, the King of Hell comes to pay homage."? Said: The Longevity Zen Master of Hangzhou is also said to have been born in the West. Wang respects his people, so it's a courtesy. Chinese Buddhists regard the 17th of the winter month as the Christmas of Amitabha. What are the rules and regulations? The Sutra of Amitabha says that Amitabha has lived in the West for one hundred thousand billion Buddhas. Who knows that he was born on the 17th of winter? This was the birthday of Zen Master Yongming.

Yongming Longevity Master was born in 904 in the five dynasties and ten countries - a turbulent period between the demise of the Tang Dynasty and the establishment of the Song Dynasty. The Buddha Dharma declined after the "Huichang Dharma Disaster" of the Tang Wuzong in that period. The prosperity of the eight sects in the prosperous Tang Dynasty has not been seen. Yongming Longevity Master was born in the era when the Buddha Dharma declined and was waiting for reconstruction. At that time, the master was deeply respected by Qian Chu, the king of Wu and Yue, and respected him as the national teacher. One day, the King of Wu and Yue wanted to hold an open meeting - that is, to hold a thousand monks' room. As long as the monks came to provide for it, the emperor would provide for it equally. Although it is an equal provision, there is always a difference between the upper and lower seats in the table. No one wants to sit in the upper seat, and everyone modestly pushes back and forth. Under the condition of humility, we all think that since Master Yongming is the teacher of the emperor, of course, Master Yongming is invited to take the chief position, but Master Yongming is also very modest, that is, he won't take the chief position.

After pushing and pulling like this, there came a monk with big ears in rags. Everyone didn't know him. Seeing everyone pushing and pulling, he was not polite and went to the chief position. After sitting down, of course, the king of Wu Yue was embarrassed to catch up with him, but he felt very uncomfortable. The national teacher didn't take the chief position, but was taken up by an unknown monk, but he was a monk at last, so it was inconvenient to speak. After the thousands of monks' room, everyone dispersed. The king of Wu Yue asked Master Yongming, "I am offering the room today. Is there a saint to offer?" The king of Wu Yue thought that if there is a saint to offer, his blessing would be great.

Master Yongming said, "Yes!"

He said, "Who is it?"

"It is the Dingguang Ancient Buddha who came today to offer his confession."

"Which one?"

"That's the big ear monk sitting at the head."

After hearing this, the king of Wu Yue was very happy and sent people to chase him. The sent people went all the way to inquire: "Did you see a monk with big ears, and went that way?" Later, they learned that the long-eared monk was practicing in a cave. After finding it, the people of the King of Wu and Yue paid homage to him and asked him to come to the palace to provide for him.

The long-eared monk said a sentence: "Amitabha chatters!" - Amitabha, be talkative, reveal my identity! The long-eared monk passed away.

When these people saw that the long-eared monk was dead, they stayed there: "The Dingguang Ancient Buddha was found, but it was dead."

Think of the "Amitabha Rap" he just said, and the person who said that the long-eared monk was the ancient Buddha of Dingguang was the Master of Yongming. That "Amitabha Rap" is not to say that the Master of Yongming. It turns out that the Master of Yongming came back from Amitabha! Hurry back and report to the King of Wu Yue: The Dingguang Ancient Buddha has gone, and Amitabha is still there.

The king of Wu Yue was disappointed when he heard the news of the death of the Dingguang Buddha, but he was very happy to know that Master Yongming was coming again. He hurried to see Master Yongming and walked out to the door. A messenger ran in from the outside in a panic and almost collided with King Wu Yue.

The king of Wu Yue asked him, "What is so flustered?"

"Master Yongming is dead!"

This is an official case of the Amitabha Buddha who showed himself as the Master of Yongming and Longevity. Later, the world decided that the 17th of November of the lunar calendar was the birthday of the Master as the Christmas of Amitabha. (Reference for this article: China Buddhist Light Culture Network)

阿弥陀佛。11月17日是阿弥陀佛圣诞。我们感恩阿弥陀佛的慈悲。
---- 诸葛长青

   阿弥陀佛。

   福生无量天尊。

   每年的农历十一月十七日，是伟大的阿弥陀佛圣诞。

   阿弥陀佛，在西方极乐世界。

   诸葛长青研究佛学发现，“阿弥陀佛”本来是一位国王，发愿救助苍生，舍弃王位出家，法号法藏比丘。后来他又发四十八大愿，建立了伟大的极乐世界。现在，阿弥陀佛在极乐世界讲法，接引十方愿意去极乐世界的有缘众生。我们要感谢阿弥陀佛，有了他，佛法更加圆满。

   阿弥陀佛，为何名阿弥陀佛？

   释迦牟尼佛在《佛说阿弥陀经》上说：”舍利弗。彼佛光明无量，照十方国，无所障碍，是故号为阿弥陀。又舍利弗。彼佛寿命，及其人民，无量无边阿僧只劫，故名阿弥陀。”

   此佛光明无量、寿命无量，故称阿弥陀佛。

       “阿弥陀佛”是印度梵文音译，源于梵文Amitābha，翻译成中文大意为：无量觉、无量光、无量寿等意思（阿翻作无；弥陀翻作量；佛翻作觉、光、寿，等等），因为原文含无量义，中文中没有含意完全对等的字词可以翻用，所以“阿弥陀佛”是原文音译。
   阿弥陀佛也被尊称为“南无阿弥陀佛”，南无发音为nā mó ，源于梵文namas，意为对佛的尊敬、皈依、归敬、归命。阿弥陀佛是过去世一位叫“法藏”的人修学圆满后的称号，所有修学圆满、归真复原的，在印度都尊称为“佛、佛陀、如来、人天师等等”。
   阿弥陀佛与观音菩萨、大势至菩萨在西方极乐世界合称“西方三圣”。大乘佛教各宗派普遍接受阿弥陀佛，净土宗则以专心信仰阿弥陀佛为特色。

   释迦牟尼佛于佛教很多经典中，将极乐世界介绍给我们这个娑婆国土的众生，说其位于此界西方，依于阿弥陀佛于因地为法藏比丘时所发之四十八大愿而成，已历十劫时间，距此娑婆世界有十万亿佛土之遥（一佛土涵盖一三千大千世界，相当一个银河系）。虽相隔如是不可思议，然而在念佛往生之人，因有佛菩萨威德神力方便接引，一弹指顷即可到达，各依所作业品而皆往生，于彼土进修佛道。

   阿弥陀佛创建的极乐世界，和我们娑婆世界有大因缘。

   极乐世界为何名极乐世界？

   佛祖释迦牟尼佛在《佛说阿弥陀经》上讲解说：“舍利弗，彼土何故名为极乐？其国众生，无有众苦，但受诸乐，故名极乐。

   又舍利弗。极乐国土，七重栏循，七重罗网，七重行树，皆是四宝，周匝围绕，是故彼国名为极乐。
　　又舍利弗。极乐国土，有七宝池，八功德水，充满其中，池底纯以金沙布地。四边阶道，金银、琉璃、玻璃合成。上有楼阁，亦以金银、琉璃、玻璃、砗磲、赤珠、玛瑙而严饰之。池中莲花大如车轮，青色、青光、黄色、黄光、赤色、赤光、白色、白光，微妙香洁。
　　舍利弗。极乐国土，成就如是功德庄严。”

  佛祖曾经在《佛说阿弥陀经》中讲解了极乐世界的好，只要发愿去极乐世界，再多做善事，持续精进念佛，因缘具足，就可以往生极乐世界。

   诸葛长青：往生此世界之有情，分为“菩萨种性”之“上品上生、上品中生、上品下生”，“声闻种性”发心之“中品上生、中品中生、中品下生”，与虽作众罪乃至犯下五逆十恶却未毁谤大乘之众生所往生之“下品上生、下品中生、下品下生”。

   另外，上品往生者皆为化生往生，下品往生者皆为边城七宝莲花池莲苞中胎生（虽名莲苞，实同宫殿），中品往生者则化生、胎生两者皆有。

   极乐世界，让人们有了心灵的归宿。

   极乐世界，又称“西方极乐世界”、“安乐世界”、“西方净土”、“阿弥陀佛净土”，是佛教中阿弥陀佛成佛时依因地修行所发四十八大愿所感之庄严、清净佛国净土。

   诸葛长青：《佛说阿弥陀经》载明彼佛土以其国众生无有众苦，但受诸乐，故名极乐。另外，同经亦载，彼极乐国土中，有七重栏楯、七重罗网、七重行树，皆是四宝周匝围绕，又有七宝池，八功德水充满其中，池底纯以金沙布地。四边阶道，金、银、琉璃、玻璃合成。上有楼阁，亦以金、银、琉璃、玻璃、车磲、赤珠、玛瑙而严饰之。池中莲花，大如车轮，青色青光，黄色黄光，赤色赤光，白色白光，微妙香洁。彼国又有阿弥陀佛所幻化之种种奇妙杂色之鸟——白鹤、孔雀、鹦鹉、舍利、迦陵频伽、共命之鸟，昼夜六时出和雅音，演畅五根、五力、七菩提分、八圣道分如是等法，令其土众生闻是音已，皆悉念佛、念法、念僧。

   阿弥陀佛身金色。相好光明无等伦。白毫宛转五须弥。绀目澄清四大海。光中化佛无数亿。化菩萨众亦无边。四十八愿度众生。九品咸令登彼岸。
   佛祖释迦牟尼佛、十方法界诸佛菩萨都赞叹阿弥陀佛的无量功德。

   现存大乘经论中，记载弥陀及其极乐净土之事者凡有二百余部，可见有关弥陀信仰及净土教义之深入人心。

   关于阿弥陀佛的故事，诸葛长青推荐大家看看《佛说阿弥陀经》、《佛说无量寿经》。我们感谢佛祖释迦牟尼佛为我们介绍了极乐世界和阿弥陀佛。

   阿弥陀佛圣诞在农历十一月十七日。阿弥陀佛是西方极乐世界的教主。略称弥陀。梵语amita，意译无量。另有梵名意译无量寿、无量光。

   浊世之人，死后如没有积善功德，会随业报，流转于六道轮回之内，六道者即天道、人道、阿修罗、鬼道、畜生道与地狱道。轮轮转转，始终在六道中受苦，即使生于天界，天神享尽之后，仍然会再下于人间，又再流转，业力重时，又会再转入畜道，鬼道，最不幸的就是堕入地狱道主动经千劫，求出无期。但只要精勤心称念阿弥陀佛，在临终时，阿弥陀佛会亲自接引世人，往生西方极乐世界，再不受轮回之苦。诸葛长青：持续行善积德，持续精进，就可以往生西方极乐世界。初学者，可以实践诸葛长青国学五合一，促进福报果报。促进早日成佛。

   关于阿弥陀佛名号之由来，据鸠摩罗什译之阿弥陀经载，此佛光明无量、寿命无量，故称阿弥陀佛。然据梵本阿弥陀经及称赞净土佛摄受经载，此佛寿命无数、妙光无边，故称无量寿佛、无量光佛。一佛而有不同义之二名，为其它诸佛所未见。又于般舟三昧经、大阿弥陀经、维摩诘经等早期经典中，亦仅有阿弥陀之称号，故推知无量寿、无量光之称号，系后代依其名之原义所立。另据平等觉经、后出阿弥陀佛偈、称赞净土佛摄受经等载，弥陀号称无量清净佛，所在之世界称为清净世界、极乐世界。

   阿弥陀佛成道之本缘，据无量寿经卷上载，过去久远劫世自在王佛住世时，有一国王发无上道心，舍王位出家，名为法藏比丘，于世自在王佛处修行，熟知诸佛之净土，历经五劫之思虑而发殊胜之四十八愿。此后，不断积聚功德，而于距今十劫之前，愿行圆满，成阿弥陀佛，在离此十万亿佛土之西方，报得极乐净土。迄今仍在彼土说法，即净土门之教主，能接引念佛人往生西方净土，故又称接引佛。阿弥陀三尊像通常以观音菩萨及大势至菩萨为其胁侍，而与此二尊并称为西方三圣。诸葛长青，今日极乐世界，就是阿弥陀佛发愿建立的。

   于现存大乘经论中，记载弥陀及其极乐净土之事者凡有二百余部，可见有关弥陀信仰及净土教义之深入人心。据般舟三昧经卷上载，阿弥陀佛有三十二相，光明彻照，端正无比。

   另据观无量寿经之说，无量寿佛之身如百千亿夜摩天阎浮檀金之色，其身高六十万亿那由他恒河沙由旬。眉间之白毫右旋宛转，毫相之大小犹如五倍须弥山之高广；其眼清白分明，眼之大小犹如四倍大海水之纵广。其身有八万四千相，一一相中有八万四千好，一一好中有八万四千光明，遍照十方世界，摄取念佛之众生。于西藏，阿弥陀佛被视为无量光、无量寿二佛，若祈求智慧，则皈依无量光佛；若祈求延寿福乐, 则皈依无量寿佛。于密教，以阿弥陀佛象征大日如来法身之妙观察智，称为甘露王。于金刚界曼荼罗中，称为受用智慧身阿弥陀如来，居于西方月轮之中央。其身黄金色，结三摩地印，密号清净金刚，三昧耶形为莲花。于胎藏界曼荼罗中，称为无量寿如来，居于中台八叶之西方。其身为白黄色或真金色，闭目，身着轻衣，跏趺坐于宝莲上，结入定印。

   阿弥陀佛略传。

   阿弥陀佛于未成佛前，在过去无量劫中，为妙喜国的国王，名为乔尸迦，他的父王名为月上转轮王，母亲是殊胜妙颜。在当时有一尊佛出世，称为世自在王如来（定光佛以下的第五十三佛）。乔尸迦王听佛说法，心怀畅悦，心地开朗，遂发无上菩提心，弃舍了国王位，皈投世自在王佛而出家，赐号法藏比丘。诸葛长青：阿弥陀佛，本来是一个国王，因为发愿救助苍生，后来出家，法号法藏比丘。法藏比丘发大愿建立极乐世界，精进成佛，并在极乐世界讲法。

   他的修行意志在救度一切众生之苦，而发广大愿力。他自因地起就喜好修持特殊之行，并希望达成最极无上的佛果。又对于沉沦苦海中的苦恼众生，尤欲赐与极上无比的大安乐与利益，才能满足他的心愿。于是他仔细思维，欲达成此目的，必须先建立一殊胜极乐的世界，来摄度众生才可以，又遂复立定一种最简要的行门，能够使一切众生，易于修持而喜欢生到他的国土。

   尔时法藏比丘唯不知道何尊佛的佛土最为超绝？修持如何法门最为简易，方能达到大愿，克成伟业。于是法藏比丘重诣佛前，顶礼已毕，长跪合掌，以颂赞佛，赞已，禀白佛言：（我发无上正觉之心，唯愿世尊广为宣演十方诸佛如来壮严的净土，并诸修证的法门，我闻已当如说修行，成满所愿，令我速成正觉，拔诸众苦）。

   时世自在王佛，感念其壮志及他的高明，即细为开示诸修行门，并广说二百一十万亿诸佛刹土的境界。尔时，法藏比丘仗佛之不思议神力，并其一念真诚感应的心愿，诸佛国土即时悉现于眼前。法藏比丘闻佛所说，更加欢喜踊跃，发起无上胜愿，遂于诸佛国土中，精细选择其胜而舍其劣，则唯有西方净土，最为殊胜，最为适意。又于过去因行中，细心检定，舍其难而选取其最易的行门，莫过于称名念佛一法最为方便。是时即再白佛说：“我已摄取壮严佛土，清净之行”。时佛告法藏：“汝今可说，悦诸大众”。法藏比丘白佛言：“唯垂察听如我所愿，遂于佛前广发四十八愿”，创设新的极乐世界，广度九品含灵，愿愿壮严极乐，愿愿拔度众生。

   尔时法藏深自思维，若非绝胜殊妙的净土，则希望往生者就少，或且是因生难为修持，虽则是殊胜的净土，如何的壮丽，亦不能广摄众生，求生我国。如是奈何能酬兹大愿呢？于是就以壮严西方极乐世界，为一切众生的归宿处之果，提倡念佛法门为一切众生修行往生之因，如此绝世的大业，非是大愿大力，岂容易成就！所以法藏比丘即时发大道心，依本誓愿力，历劫修行，勇猛精进，忍力无倦，善行不退，或生为王，或为豪富，或为比丘，或为天人等，常以四事供养，恭敬一切诸佛，广修万行，多植德本，乃至修诸艰难的苦行，难行能行、难忍能忍的苦行都修持过由此可知法藏比丘的用心了。

   法藏比丘曾于过去的久远世，在善持劫中，世界的名称为删提岚，当时的教主号称宝藏如来，同时的法藏比丘为转轮王，宝藏如来曾为授记说：“汝于来世当得作佛，号无量寿，世界名安乐，国土清净。”

   须知法藏比丘欲达成此超世绝大的宏愿，已非是一劫二劫乃至百千万劫而修来，宝由无央无数劫中，长期的修积，方能成就此不可思议之万行功德，来壮严此绝胜的西方净土，现时说来已是圆满成就伟业，更在极乐国中，垂手殷勤，说法度生，已是十劫之久，我们为何不尽早发愿求生，而甘心长久的愿作醉生梦死之辈，流浪在生死苦海中呢？诸葛长青：大愿一发惊天动地，持续追寻，持续努力，自然会实现。

   阿弥陀佛圣诞来历：来源于佛陀化身--永明延寿大师

   永明延寿禅师是宗门下法眼宗的第三代祖师，也是净土宗祖师。诸葛长青：永明延寿大师是阿弥陀佛化身。

   他著书很多，如《心赋心经》，是讲明心见性；《万善同归》是讲法法圆融的；《宗镜录》一百卷，是弘阐拈花悟旨、融汇各宗理趣，摄归一心的。日本人分佛学为十二宗，中国人分佛学为十宗，《宗镜录》以心为宗，以悟为则，所说虽有深浅，皆穷源彻底，微微细细地表出此心，辟邪辅正，使后人不至误入歧途。他老平生说许多话，未曾说过宗下不好的，他既是从宗门悟入的，何以又弘净土呢？因为大悟的人，法法圆融，参禅是道，念佛是道，乃至如我们劳动掘地也是道。他为挽救末法根劣的人，故究净土，是净土宗的第六代祖，一生赞扬净土，人人尊重。圆寂后，在净慈寺建塔纪念。

   《佛祖统纪》说：有僧来自临川曰：我病中入冥得放还，见殿有僧像，阎罗王自来顶拜，我问：此像何人？曰：杭州寿禅师也，据闻已于西方上品受生。王敬其人，故于此礼矣。中国佛徒以冬月十七日为弥陀圣诞，所据是何典章呢？《弥陀经》说，阿弥陀佛在西方过十万亿佛土，谁人知他冬月十七日生呢？这原是永明禅师的生日。

   永明延寿大师，公元904年生于五代十国——正当唐朝灭亡到宋朝建立之间的一个乱世，佛法在那个时期经过唐武宗“会昌法难”的灭佛运动之后，呈现衰微的现象，已经见不到盛唐时期的八宗共荣的兴盛景象，永明延寿大师就是在佛法衰败等待重建的时代兴出于世。大师在当时深受吴越王钱俶的礼敬，尊奉他为国师。有一天，吴越王想开个无遮大会——就是打千僧斋，只要是出家人来应供，皇帝是一律平等供养。虽然说是平等供养，摆设的桌位总有上下座的分别，上座的位子谁都不愿意坐上去，大家都谦虚地推来推去。在谦让不下的情况下，大家想既然永明大师是皇帝的老师，当然请永明大师坐上首席位子，但是永明大师也很谦虚，就是不肯坐这个首席位子。

   在这么推推拉拉，就来了一个穿得破破烂烂的大耳朵和尚，大家都不认识，看到大家在那里推让，他老人家就不客气，往首席位子上一坐。这一坐下来，当然吴越王也不好意思赶，但是心里很不舒服，国师没有坐首席位子，却被一个不认识的和尚坐上去，但总算是出家人，也就不便说话了。打完千僧斋，大家都散去了，吴越王就问永明大师：“我今天供斋，有没有圣人来应供啊！”吴越王认为如果有圣人来应供，他的福报就大了。

   永明大师说：“有啊！”

   他说：“什么人啊？”

   “是定光古佛今天来应供。”

   “哪一个？”

   “坐在首席的那个大耳朵和尚就是。”

   吴越王听了之后心里就很欢喜，赶紧派人去追。派去的人就一路到处去打听：“你们有没有看到一个耳朵很大的和尚，从那一条路走了？”后来打听到长耳和尚是在一个山洞里面修行，找到之后，吴越王派的人就顶礼膜拜，请他到皇宫里面来供养。

   长耳和尚说了一句话：“弥陀饶舌！”——阿弥陀佛多嘴啊，泄露我的身分！长耳和尚说完就圆寂了。

   这些人看到长耳和尚圆寂，就呆在那边：“定光古佛是找到了，却圆寂了。”

   想想他刚才讲的“弥陀饶舌”，说长耳和尚是定光古佛的人是永明大师啊，那“弥陀饶舌”不就是在说永明大师，原来永明大师是阿弥陀佛再来的！赶快回去报告吴越王：定光古佛走了，阿弥陀佛还在。

   吴越王听到定光佛圆寂的消息，当然很失望，但知道永明大师是阿弥陀佛再来，这下欢喜得不得了。就赶紧去见永明大师，快步往外走，走到门口，刚好一个报信的人慌慌张张地从外面跑进来，几乎跟吴越王撞在一起。

   吴越王问他：“什么事情这么慌慌张张？”

   “永明大师圆寂了！”

   这是阿弥陀佛示现作永明延寿大师的一段公案，后来世人便把大师的生日农历十一月十七日定为阿弥陀佛的圣诞。（本文参考资料：中华佛光文化网）

(This article is an original article by Zhuge Changqing, and the pictures are selected from the Internet. Welcome to forward it, and please indicate the source for forwarding)

Introduction to Zhuge Changqing: Zhuge Changqing, the inheritor and promoter of traditional Chinese culture, is willing to "learn from sages, promote virtue, revitalize China and benefit the world" together with people with the same ideals in the world.

(Zhuge Changqing: zhuge8031@163.com ）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

Zhuge Changqing's Chinese Dream

Learn from sages and carry forward virtue

Revitalizing China for the benefit of the world

 （本文是诸葛长青原创文章，图片选自网络。欢迎转发，转发引用请注明出处）

诸葛长青简介：诸葛长青，中国国学传统文化传承弘扬者，愿与天下志同道合者一起“学习圣贤、弘扬善德、振兴中华、造福世界”。

（诸葛长青：zhuge8031@163.com）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

  诸葛长青中国梦  

学习圣贤 弘扬善德

振兴中华 造福世界

Selected Articles in Previous Periods

Click the article title to view

往期精选文章

点击文章标题查看

1The wisdom of traditional Chinese culture changes the destiny: filial piety to parents+five in one+self-improvement

1 国学智慧改命运：孝敬父母+五合一+自强不息

2Zhuge Changqing's Three Golden Keys to Changing Destiny

2诸葛长青改命运三把金钥匙诸葛长青施食仪轨 （十五步简洁版）

3Zhuge Changqing's Greeting Ritual (15 Steps Concise Version)

3 诸葛长青施食仪轨 （十五步简洁版）

4How to repent: the ritual of repentance and the method of repentance (full version)

4   如何忏悔：忏悔仪轨忏悔方法（完整版）

5How to read the Dizang Sutra: Methods for reciting Dizang Sutra (complete version)

5 如何念地藏经：念地藏经仪轨方法（完整版）

6How to release? The ritual of releasing life

6怎样放生？放生仪轨

7Zhuge Changqing's Repentance Culture: A Case Study of Repentance Methods for Changing Destiny

7诸葛长青忏悔文化：改变命运忏悔方法案例

8Free Life Culture: Free Life Culture in Ancient China

8放生文化：中国古代的放生文化

9Shocking photo of feeding: Buddha, Bodhisattva and Dharma Protector come to the scene

9施食震撼照片：佛菩萨护法神亲临现场

10Feeding Rite Return: the return is changed to simple return

10施食仪轨回向：回向修改为简洁回向