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Questions : | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 |
What is the meaning of the statement :
' Birth ( in the Pure Land ) is certainly birth, but returning ( to the Pure land ) is,
in fact, not returning ? '
"Birth is certainly birth" is from the viewpoint of
phenomena: "Returning is, in fact, not returning" is from the viewpoint of principle or noumenon.
However, those who have not yet penetrated the subtle difference between noumenon and
phenomena should just follow phenomena and marks, and recite the Buddha's name in an accomplished manner.
In this way, they will achieve results. Otherwise, they will make the mistake, common to
externalists (Followers of external paths) and demons, of grasping at
noumenon and abondoning
phenomena.
Note: "Phenomena" Used in plural to contrast with "noumenon",
which is always one and indivislble. The noumenon is the doctrine underlying any phenomenal event.
For example, in principle a tree has the potential to become a house. Before the house is built, it has the
noumenal aspect. Once built, the house itself is the phenomenon, which appears because of the noumenon.
In principal, we can all realized Buddhahood, but we have not phenomenally done so. If we have faith,
vows and Hold the Name, we will arrive at the phenomenon of Buddhahood, just as the tree can be made into a house.
(Master Hsuan Hua, A general Explanation of the Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra, p26)
(From Pure-Land Zen , Zen Pure-Land, Letters from Patriarch Yin Guang Page 108 - 111)