In Buddhism there is an orderly system in place that proceeds from ‘teaching’ through ‘practice’ to ‘enlightenment.’
However, if we only understand the system in this way we will encounter great difficulties.
I mean by this that the schematic process from ‘practice’ to ‘enlightenment’ fails to avoid the artificiality or intentionality which will almost inevitably accompany any ‘practice ‘ which aims at ‘enlightenment.’
It should be made clear, therefore, that in Pure Land Buddhism the ‘thought [of taking refuge]’ corresponds to what in Buddhism is generally known as ‘practice,’ and that the ‘Gate to the Pure Land’ corresponds to what in Buddhism is generally known as ‘enlightenment.’ All this opens up the great path to attaining Buddhahood through the nembutsu.
Respectfully
Chimyo Takehara
March 2003
佛教の体系は、「教」「行」「証」と整然と次第しますが、ここに大きなネックがあることに私どもは容易に気づきません。
すなわち「行」から「証」という図式は、「証」を目的にした「行」の人為性、即ち有漏性が潜んでいるということです。 そこで、「行」に対応して「念」、「証」に応じて浄土の「門」の存在が明かされねばなりません。 そこに念佛成佛の大道が開かれるのです。