《淨土宗概論》英譯本-序

《淨土宗概論》英譯本-序(象山慶21.12.21) 此書的編輯方式與預期功能，類似淨土宗的專業教科書，只編列本宗教義結構的梗概，名為「概論」，為念佛人建立綱要式認識，故章節的安排，分門別類，整然有序，且前後呼應，成一有機體相，頗便於初學之概觀、瀏覽，迅速掌握淨土宗之淵源與大意。書前〈簡介〉云： 一、本書謹依善導大師宗義為準繩，貫穿龍樹、天親、曇鸞、道綽諸祖教義，特別致力於淨土宗教義建立之根本。 二、本書力圖展現淨土宗教義之全貌，為淨業行人提供整體認識，不暇細釋。為便初學，附有註釋，並舉文獻出處。 此書主體之淨土宗，設定在善導大師為主的思想傳承，揭示「本願稱名，凡夫入報」的特色，或即是中國佛教史所謂的「淨土三系(流)」之善導系(流)，對外區別於自力修行之「聖道門」諸宗，對內簡異於混融雜行之「夾善迴向」二系，學者或謂之「狹義」的(稱名念佛)淨土教，本書則正名為「純正、專修」的淨土宗。此善導大師淨土思想之法脈傳承，在教判、宗本、法義、行儀各方面都完備而嚴整，在本書十章、四十二節的內容鋪陳中，明確而簡要的呈現，一目了然。 初學者從頭到尾通讀一遍，可於腦中畫出一張全景圖，從法義核心十字打開，四通八達；再讀第二遍，則於章節細目之內在邏輯及文理聯繫，有立體動態的認知，「得其環中，以應無窮」，為他人口說指授，不出差錯。 此書著重對淨土宗內涵外緣的全面性綱舉目張，而不作專題式定點深入，既便於初學的始業自習，亦有助於久學的溫故知新，乃易讀方便之書也。今日有緣譯成〇〇文流通，期盼有緣得此書者，能於略讀、細讀之後，對善導大師淨土思想有全貌的理解，進而實驗念佛，必得現世及來生的真實之利。南無阿彌陀佛 A General Guide to the Pure Land School This book is a “professional textbook” on the Pure Land School. As a “general guide,” it outlines the principles of Pure Land as a framework for Amitabha-reciters. The arrangement of the chapters and sections, as well as the book’s division of content, is clear and tidy. From start to finish, the materials interlink, forming an organic whole. The text provides beginners with an overview and helps them browse and quickly grasp the origins and fundamentals of the Pure Land School. As the Preface says: 1) It uses Shandao’s teachings as its sole yardstick. Taking in the expositions of such lineage masters as Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, Tanluan and Daochuo, it focuses on the foundations of Pure Land thought. 2) It strives to lay out the full scope of Pure Land teaching, so that practitioners can have a comprehensive understanding. It does not avoid the finer points. The lineage of Master Shandao’s thought and teaching is complete and systematically rigorous, in terms of Dharma classification, aims of the school, its principles and forms of practice. That is clearly laid out in the ten chapters and 42 sections of the book. xii A General Guide to the Pure Land School Preface xiii Having read it once, from beginning to end, a beginner would have an overall map in his or her head. From the core teachings, the vista expands extensively. A second reading would pick up the details and their inherent logic as well as interconnections. The learner would gain a more multidimensional, dynamic understanding. “From this, one can cope with countless circumstances,” as the saying goes. We would not err when teaching or explaining the material to others. The book takes a comprehensive, macro approach to the substance and the external circumstances relating to the Pure Land School. It does not drill down deeply into specialized topics. Besides facilitating self-study by beginners, the book helps longtime learners review what they know as well as gain new knowledge. It is a readable, convenient tool. The karmic conditions have made possible this English translation and its circulation. After initial and secondary perusals, readers will hopefully have a comprehensive understanding of the Pure Land teachings. If they then believe in the deliverance of Amitabha Buddha and recite his name, they would certainly derive real benefits during this lifetime and the next. Namo Amitabha Buddha!