二淨業正因
經云。欲生彼國者。當修三福。一者孝養父母。奉事師長。慈心不殺。修十善業。二者受持三歸。具足眾戒。不犯威儀。三者發菩提心。深信因果。讀誦大乘。勸進行者。如此三事。名為淨業。今先明歸戒。經云。昔有梵志饒財多寶。若布施時。金鉢盛銀。銀鉢盛金。乃至玉女象馬。衣裳房舍。各足八萬四千之數。如上施福。不如受三自歸。受三歸者。施一切眾生無畏。如上布施及受三歸福。復不如受五戒福。受五戒者。功德具滿故。凡受歸戒。須從師受。設未遇師時。先向佛前。日誦三歸章句。其五戒行之既熟。然後求師證明。如能發大菩提心。進受菩薩戒。則更善矣。其三歸云。
The sutra says: Those who wish to be reborn in that land should cultivate three kinds of merit. First, honor and care for parents, serve teachers and elders, cultivate a compassionate heart that refrains from killing, and practice the ten wholesome actions. Second, take refuge in the Three Jewels, fully uphold the precepts, and do not violate dignified conduct. Third, arouse the mind of enlightenment, deeply believe in cause and effect, recite the Mahayana sutras, and encourage others in their practice. These three are called pure karma.
Now, first, let us clarify taking refuge and the precepts. The sutra says: In the past, there was a Brahmin who was wealthy and possessed many treasures. When he gave alms, he would fill a golden bowl with silver, a silver bowl with gold, and even offered beautiful maidens, elephants, horses, clothing, houses, each in numbers reaching eighty-four thousand. Yet, the merit from such giving is not as great as that from taking the Three Refuges. Taking the Three Refuges gives fearlessness to all sentient beings. Moreover, the merit from such giving and taking the Three Refuges is still not as great as that from receiving the Five Precepts. Receiving the Five Precepts brings complete and perfect merit.
Generally, taking refuge and receiving precepts must be done under a teacher. If one has not yet met a teacher, they should first face the Buddha daily and recite the verses of the Three Refuges. Once the practice of the Five Precepts becomes familiar, they should then seek a teacher to confirm it. If one can arouse the great mind of enlightenment and advance to receive the Bodhisattva Precepts, that is even better.
As for the Three Refuges, it is said:
- 歸依佛。不墮地獄。我今歸依佛。
- 歸依法。不墮餓鬼。我今歸依法。
- 歸依僧。不墮旁生。我今歸依僧。
每時課畢。復稱云。
At the end of each practice session, say once more:
- 自歸於佛。當願眾生。紹隆佛種。發無上意。
- 自歸於法。當願眾生。深入經藏。智慧如海。
- 自歸於僧。當願眾生。統理大眾。一切無礙。
其五戒者。
The Five Precepts are:
- 一不殺生。
- 二不偷盜。
- 三不邪婬。
- 四不妄語。
- 五不飲酒
經言。每月。初八。十四。十五。二十三。二十九。三十(如月小。則用二十八二十九)凡六日。四天王巡行南洲。觀察人間善惡。又正五九凡三月。帝釋以大寶鏡。正照南洲。考核罪福。並宜齋戒念佛。懺悔修省。謂之年三齋。月六齋。又每月加初一。十八。二十四。二十八。為十齋(見地藏經)初發心人。並宜留意。
The scriptures state that on the sixth, fourteenth, fifteenth, twenty-third, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth days of each month(If the month is short, use the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth days), the Four Heavenly Kings patrol the Southern Continent, observing the good and evil deeds of humanity. Additionally, during the first, fifth, and ninth months of the year, the Emperor of Heaven uses a great treasure mirror to shine directly upon the Southern Continent, examining sins and merits. On these days, it is appropriate to observe fasting, recite the Buddha's name, repent, and cultivate self-reflection. These are known as the "Three Annual Fasts" and the "Six Monthly Fasts." Furthermore, adding the first, eighteenth, twenty-fourth, and twenty-eighth days of each month makes up the "Ten Fasts"(See the Earth Store Sutra). Beginners on the path should pay attention to these practices.