Before becoming a monk, I was once at a friend’s house talking about becoming a monk, and another guest – a practitioner – told me, “It doesn’t matter whether to become a monk or not. What matters is learning from a true master.” I didn’t agree at that time. Then I heard another practitioner say, “If you want to study Buddhism, you must read the ancient classics, instead of those written in modern times, because modern people have too much assumption and opinions.” Back then I didn’t agree either.
Now in retrospect, I realize they have both made some good points. Not that it applies in all cases, but to quite a certain extent it tells the truth. The same holds for the Pure Land teachings too. That’s why I note it down here.
by Great Master Lian Chi (蓮池大師) in the Ming Dynasty
古今著述 – 錄自明末蓮池大師《竹窗隨筆》(初筆)
予在家時，於友人錢啟東家，一道者因予語及出家，出家先予，渠云:「不在出家，祇貴得明師耳。」予時未以為然。又一道者云:「玄門文字，須看上古聖賢所作，近代者多出臆見，不足信。」予時亦未以為然。今思二言皆有深意; 雖未必盡然，而未必不然也。以例吾宗，亦復如是。因識之。
Do Not Change the Subject
“Be mindful of Amitabha Buddha. Do not change the subject.” Great Master Lian Chi (1535 – 1615, the Eighth Patriarch of the Pure Land Tradition) left these final words for his followers, right before departing for Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Ultimate Bliss.
A perfect example of how someone who had truly realized the Buddha’s teachings and completed the practice would be, Great Master Lian Chi was proficient in all Buddhism schools, merging Chan Meditation, Pure Land Practice, Scriptural Study, and Observation of Precepts (禪.淨.教.律) into one. He’s also prolific in writing, bestowing upon us many well-known works, including Commentary on Amitabha Sutra, Essays by the Bamboo Window, Collection on Rebirth, Doubts and Debates on Pure Land, imparting some most insightful views, for instance:
• Chan and Pure Land are one, not two; mindfully reciting Amitabha Buddha is a supreme form of Chan in itself.
• All the Buddhas’ teachings are concentrated within the name of Amitabha. By chanting Namo Amitabha or Amituofo, we are taking refuge in all the Buddhas, receiving all the Dharma teachings, upholding all the precepts, eradicating all karmic obstructions, generating the greatest merits, attaining perfect focus, and opening up to the Ultimate Wisdom.
• Among all the expedients for enlightenment, seeking rebirth in the Pure Land is the most direct and the most reliable; among all the methods of Buddha remembrance, reciting Amitabha Buddha is the simplest and therefore the most straightforward.
• Only the Dharma Door of Pure Land is all-inclusive, applying to all beings of various calibers and capacities – high, medium, or low; anyone could rely on Pure Land Practice to attain complete liberation within one lifetime – this current lifetime.
• Amituofo is the light of our true nature; Pure Land is in our purest state of mind.
When Great Master Lian Chi renounced family life at the age of 30 and traveled throughout China to seek guidance from the wise, one of the teachings he found most impressive is as simple as this: “Abide by your role, not clamber after conditions, fames or profits. Clearly see the interplay between cause and effect. Wholeheartedly and single-mindedly recite the Buddha’s name.”
When he was ready to renounce this earthly existence altogether, he knew half month in advance the exact time of his departure, and the words he left for his disciples are just as simple: “Be mindful of Amitabha Buddha. Do not change the subject.” Having said that, he serenely resumed reciting Amitabha Buddha and departed with complete ease, a marvelous display of spiritual mastery.
Great Master’s influences extend way beyond the time he lived in, reaching far and wide into the present, and still forging ahead with great energy. As one way to appreciate and feed on the spiritual bestowal, I am translating Essays by the Bamboo Window, one piece at a time.
Confucius said, “I only transmit; I don’t create. I am faithful to the old masters; therefore, I take pleasure in learning from them.” (述而不作，信而好古)
Buddha Mind 