Saturday, December 20, 2008

金刚般若波罗蜜经


I feel that this is a very good book that may help in our understanding.

金刚经 (Diamond Sutra)

第一品 法会因由分
如是我闻,一时,佛在舍卫国祗树给孤独园,与大比丘众千二百五十人俱。尔时,世尊食时,著衣持钵,入舍卫大城乞食。于其城中,次第乞已,还至本处。饭食讫,收衣钵,洗足已,敷座而坐。
 
第二品 善现启请分
时,长老须菩提在大众中即从座起,偏袒右肩,右膝着地,合掌恭敬而白佛言:“希有!世尊!如来善护念诸菩萨,善付嘱诸菩萨。世尊!善男子、善女人,发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心,应云何住,云何降伏其心?”佛言:“善哉,善哉。须菩提!如汝所说,如来善护念诸菩萨,善付嘱诸菩萨。汝今谛听!当为汝说:善男子、善女人,发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心,应如是住,如是降伏其心。”“唯然,世尊!愿乐欲闻。”
 
第三品 大乘正宗分
佛告须菩提:“诸菩萨摩诃萨应如是降伏其心!所有一切众生之类:若卵生、若胎生、若湿生、若化生;若有色、若无色;若有想、若无想、若非有想非无想,我皆令入无余涅盘而灭度之。如是灭度无量无数无边众生,实无众生得灭度者。何以故?须菩提!若菩萨有我相、人相、众生相、寿者相,即非菩萨。”
 
第四品 妙行无住分
“复次,须菩提!菩萨于法,应无所住,行于布施,所谓不住色布施,不住声香味触法布施。须菩提!菩萨应如是布施,不住于相。何以故?若菩萨不住相布施,其福德不可思量。须菩提!于意云何?东方虚空可思量不?”“不也,世尊!”“须菩提!南西北方四维上下虚空可思不?”“不也,世尊!”“须菩提!菩萨无住相布施,福德亦复如是不可思量。须菩提!菩萨但应如所教住。”
 
第五品 如理实见分
“须菩提!于意云何?可以身相见如来不?”“不也,世尊!不可以身相得见如来。何以故?如来所说身相,即非身相。”佛告须菩提:“凡所有相,皆是虚妄。若见诸相非相,则见如来。”
 
第六品 正信希有分
须菩提白佛言:“世尊!颇有众生,得闻如是言说章句,生实信不?”佛告须菩提:“莫作是说。如来灭后,后五百岁,有持戒修福者,于此章句能生信心,以此为实,当知是人不于一佛二佛三四五佛而种善根,已于无量千万佛所种诸善根,闻是章句,乃至一念生净信者,须菩提!如来悉知悉见,是诸众生得如是无量福德。何以故?是诸众生无复我相、人相、众生相、寿者相;无法相,亦无非法相。何以故?是诸众生若心取相,则为著我人众生寿者。若取法相,即著我人众生寿者。何以故?若取非法相,即著我人众生寿者,是故不应取法,不应取非法。以是义故,如来常说:‘汝等比丘,知我说法,如筏喻者;法尚应舍,何况非法。’”
 
第七品 无得无说分
“须菩提!于意云何?如来得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提耶?如来有所说法耶?”须菩提言:“如我解佛所说义,无有定法名阿耨多罗三藐三菩提,亦无有定法,如来可说。何以故?如来所说法,皆不可取、不可说、非法、非非法。所以者何?一切圣贤,皆以无为法而有差别。”
 
第八品 依法出生分
“须菩提!于意云何?若人满三千大千世界七宝以用布施,是人所得福德,宁为多不?”须菩提言:“甚多,世尊!何以故?是福德即非福德性,是故如来说福德多。”“若复有人,于此经中受持,乃至四句偈等,为他人说,其福胜彼。何以故?须菩提!一切诸佛,及诸佛阿耨多罗三藐三菩提法,皆从此经出。须菩提!所谓佛法者,即非佛法。”
 
第九品 一相无相分
“须菩提!于意云何?须陀洹能作是念:‘我得须陀洹果’不?”须菩提言:“不也,世尊!何以故?须陀洹名为入流,而无所入,不入色声香味触法,是名须陀洹。”“须菩提!于意云何?斯陀含能作是念:‘我得斯陀含果’不?”须菩提言:不也,世尊!何以故?斯陀含名一往来,而实无往来,是名斯陀含。”“须菩提!于意云何?阿那含能作是念:‘我得阿那含果’不?”须菩提言:“不也,世尊!何以故?阿那含名为不来,而实无来,是名阿那含。”“须菩提!于意云何?阿罗汉能作是念,‘我得阿罗汉道’不?”须菩提言:“不也,世尊!何以故?实无有法名阿罗汉。世尊!若阿罗汉作是念:‘我得阿罗汉道’,即著我人众生寿者。世尊!佛说我得无净三昧,人中最为第一,是第一离欲阿罗汉。我不作是念:‘我是离欲阿罗汉’。世尊!我若作是念:‘我得阿罗汉道’,世尊则不说须菩提是乐阿兰那行者!以须菩提实无所行,而名须菩提是乐阿兰那行。
 
第十品 庄严净土分
佛告须菩提:“于意云何?如来昔在然灯佛所,于法有所得不?”“不也,世尊!如来在然灯佛所,于法实无所得。”“须菩提!于意云何?菩萨庄严佛土不?”“不也,世尊!何以故?庄严佛土者,则非庄严,是名庄严。”“是故须菩提!诸菩萨摩诃萨应如是生清净心,不应住色生心,不应住声香味触法生心,应无所住而生其心。须菩提!譬如有人,身如须弥山王,于意云何?是身为大不?”须菩提言:“甚大,世尊!何以故?佛说非身,是名大身。”
 
第十一品 无为福胜分
“须菩提!如恒河中所有沙数,如是沙等恒河,于意云何?是诸恒河沙宁为多不?”须菩提言:“甚多,世尊!但诸恒河尚多无数,何况其沙。”“须菩提!我今实言告汝:若有善男子、善女人,以七宝满尔所恒河沙数三千大千世界,以用布施,得福多不?”须菩提言:“甚多,世尊!”佛告须菩提:“若善男子、善女人,于此经中,乃至受持四句偈等,为他人说,而此福德胜前福德。”
 
第十二品 尊重正教分
“复次,须菩提!随说是经,乃至四句偈等,当知此处,一切世间、天人、阿修罗,皆应供养,如佛塔庙,何况有人尽能受持读诵。须菩提!当知是人成就最上第一希有之法,若是经典所在之处,则为有佛,若尊重弟子。”
 
第十三品 如法受持分
尔时,须菩提白佛言:“世尊!当何名此经,我等云何奉持?”佛告须菩提:“是经名为《金刚般若波罗蜜》,以是名字,汝当奉持。所以者何?须菩提!佛说般若波罗蜜,则非般若波罗蜜。须菩提!于意云何?如来有所说法不?”须菩提白佛言:“世尊!如来无所说。”“须菩提!于意云何?三千大千世界所有微尘是为多不?”须菩提言:“甚多,世尊!”“须菩提!诸微尘,如来说非微尘,是名微尘。如来说:世界,非世界,是名世界。须菩提!于意云何?可以三十二相见如来不?”“不也,世尊!何以故?如来说:三十二相,即是非相,是名三十二相。”“须菩提!若有善男子、善女人,以恒河沙等身命布施;若复有人,于此经中,乃至受持四句偈等,为他人说,其福甚多。”
 
第十四品 离相寂灭分
尔时,须菩提闻说是经,深解义趣,涕泪悲泣,而白佛言:“希有,世尊!佛说如是甚深经典,我从昔来所得慧眼,未曾得闻如是之经。世尊!若复有人得闻是经,信心清净,则生实相,当知是人,成就第一希有功德。世尊!是实相者,即是非相,是故如来说名实相。世尊!我今得闻如是经典,信解受持不足为难,若当来世,后五百岁,其有众生,得闻是经,信解受持,是人则为第一希有。何以故?此人无我相、人相、众生相、寿者相。所以者何?我相即是非相,人相、众生、相寿者相即是非相。何以故?离一切诸相,则名诸佛。”佛告须菩提:“如是!如是!若复有人得闻是经,不惊、不怖、不畏,当知是人甚为希有。何以故?须菩提!如来说第一波罗蜜,非第一波罗蜜,是名第一波罗蜜。须菩提!忍辱波罗蜜,如来说非忍辱波罗蜜。何以故?须菩提!如我昔为歌利王割截身体,我于尔时,无我相、无人相、无众生相、无寿者相。何以故?我于往昔节节支解时,若有我相、人相、众生相、寿者相,应生嗔恨。须菩提!又念过去于五百世作忍辱仙人,于尔所世,无我相、无人相、无众生相、无寿者相。是故须菩提!菩萨应离一切相,发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心,不应住色生心,不应住声香味触法生心,应生无所住心。若心有住,则为非住。是故佛说:‘菩萨心不应住色布施。’须菩提!菩萨为利益一切众生,应如是布施。如来说:一切诸相,即是非相。又说:一切众生,即非众生。须菩提!如来是真语者、实语者、如语者、不诳语者、不异语者。须菩提!如来所得法,此法无实无虚。须菩萨,若菩萨心住于法而行布施,如人入暗,则无所见。若菩萨心不住法而行布施,如人有目,日光明照,见种种色。须菩提!当来之世,若有善男子、善女人,能于此经受持读诵,则为如来以佛智慧,悉知是人,悉见是人,皆得成就无量无边功德。”
 
第十五品 持经功德分
“须菩提!若有善男子、善女人,初日分以恒河沙等身布施,中日分复以恒河沙等身布施,后日分亦以恒河沙等身布施,如是无量百千万亿劫以身布施;若复有人,闻此经典,信心不逆,其福胜彼,何况书写、受持、读诵、为人解说。须菩提!以要言之,是经有不可思议、不可称量、无边功德。如来为发大乘者说,为发最上乘者说。若有人能受持读诵,广为人说,如来悉知是人,悉见是人,皆得成就不可量、不可称、无有边、不可思议功德。如是人等,则为荷担如来阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。何以故?须菩提!若乐小法者,著我见、人见、众生见、寿者见,则于此经,不能听受读诵、为人解说。须菩提!在在处处,若有此经,一切世间、天、人、阿修罗,所应供养;当知此处则为是塔,皆应恭敬,作礼围绕,以诸华香而散其处。”
 
第十六品 能净业障分
“复次,须菩提!若善男子、善女人,受持读诵此经,若为人轻贱,是人先世罪业,应堕恶道,以今世人轻贱故,先世罪业则为消灭,当得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。”“须菩提!我念过去无量阿僧祗劫,于然灯佛前,得值八百四千万亿那由他诸佛,悉皆供养承事,无空过者,若复有人, 于后末世,能受持读诵此经,所得功德,于我所供养诸佛功德,百分不及一,千万亿分、乃至算数譬喻所不能及。须菩提!若善男子、善女人,于后末世,有受持读诵此经,所得功德,我若具说者,或有人闻,心则狂乱,狐疑不信。须菩提!当知是经义不可思议,果报亦不可思议。”
 
第十七品 究竟无我分
尔时,须菩提白佛言:“世尊!善男子、善女人,发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心,云何应住?云何降伏其心?”佛告须菩提:“善男子、善女人,发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者,当生如是心,我应灭度一切众生。灭度一切众生已,而无有一众生实灭度者。何以故?须菩提!若菩萨有我相、人相、众生相、寿者相,则非菩萨。所以者何?须菩提!实无有法发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提者。”“须菩提!于意云何?如来于然灯佛所,有法得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提不?”“不也,世尊!如我解佛所说义,佛于然灯佛所,无有法得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。”佛言:“如是!如是!须菩提!实无有法如来得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。须菩提!若有法得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提,然灯佛则不与我授记:汝于来世,当得作佛,号释迦牟尼。以实无有法得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提,是故然灯佛与我授记,作是言:‘汝于来世,当得作佛,号释迦牟尼。’何以故?如来者,即诸法如义。若有人言:‘如来得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提’。须菩提!实无有法,佛得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。须菩提!如来所得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提,于是中无实无虚。是故如来说:一切法皆是佛法。须菩提!所言一切法者,即非一切法,是故名一切法。须菩提!譬如人身长大。”须菩提言:“世尊!如来说:人身长大,则为非大身,是名大身。”“须菩提!菩萨亦如是。若作是言:‘我当灭度无量众生’,则不名菩萨。何以故?须菩提!无有法名为菩萨。是故佛说:一切法无我、无人、无众生、无寿者。须菩提!若菩萨作是言,‘我当庄严佛土’,是不名菩萨。何以故?如来说:庄严佛土者,即非庄严,是名庄严。须菩提!若菩萨通达无我法者,如来说名真是菩萨。
 
第十八品 一体同观分
“须菩提!于意云何?如来有肉眼不?”“如是,世尊!如来有肉眼。”“须菩提!于意云何?如来有天眼不?”“如是,世尊!如来有天眼。”“须菩提!于意云何?如来有慧眼不?”“如是,世尊!如来有慧眼。”“须菩提!于意云何?如来有法眼不?”“如是,世尊!如来有法眼。”“须菩提!于意云何?如来有佛眼不?”“如是,世尊!如来有佛眼。”“须菩提!于意云何?恒河中所有沙,佛说是沙不?”“如是,世尊!如来说是沙。”“须菩提!于意云何?如一恒河中所有沙,有如是等恒河,是诸恒河所有沙数,佛世界如是,宁为多不?”“甚多,世尊!”佛告须菩提:“尔所国土中,所有众生,若干种心,如来悉知。何以故?如来说:诸心皆为非心,是名为心。所以者何?须菩提!过去心不可得,现在心不可得,未来心不可得。”
 
第十九品 法界通分分
“须菩提!于意云何?若有人满三千大千世界七宝以用布施,是人以是因缘,得福多不?”“如是,世尊!此人以是因缘,得福甚多。”“须菩提!若福德有实,如来不说得福德多;以福德无故,如来说得福德多。”
 
第二十品 离色离相分
“须菩提!于意云何?佛可以具足色身见不?”“不也,世尊!如来不应以具足色身见。何以故?如来说:具足色身,即非具足色身,是名具足色身。”“须菩提!于意云何?如来可以具足诸相见不?”“不也,世尊!如来不应以具足诸相见。何以故?如来说:诸相具足,即非具足,是名诸相具足。”
 
第二十一品 非说所说分
“须菩提!汝勿谓如来作是念:‘我当有所说法。’莫作是念,何以故?若人言:如来有所说法,即为谤佛,不能解我所说故。须菩提!说法者,无法可说,是名说法。”尔时,慧命须菩提白佛言:“世尊!颇有众生,于未来世,闻说是法,生信心不?”佛言:“须菩提!彼非众生,非不众生。何以故?须菩提!众生众生者,如来说非众生,是名众生。”
 
第二十二品 无法可得分
须菩提白佛言:“世尊!佛得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提,为无所得耶?”佛言:“如是,如是。须菩提!我于阿耨多罗三藐三菩提乃至无有少法可得,是名阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。”
 
第二十三品 净心行善分
复次,须菩提!是法平等,无有高下,是名阿耨多罗三藐三菩提;以无我、无人、无众生、无寿者,修一切善法,即得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。须菩提!所言善法者,如来说即非善法,是名善法。
 
第二十四品 福智无比分
“须菩提!若三千大千世界中所有诸须弥山王,如是等七宝聚,有人持用布施;若人以此《般若波罗蜜经》,乃至四句偈等,受持、为他人说,于前福德百分不及一,百千万亿分,乃至算数譬喻所不能及。”
 
第二十五品 化无所化分
“须菩提!于意云何?汝等勿谓如来作是念:‘我当度众生。’须菩提!莫作是念。何以故?实无有众生如来度者。若有众生如来度者,如来则有我、人、众生、寿者。须菩提!如来说:‘有我者,则非有我,而凡夫之人以为有我。’须菩提!凡夫者,如来说则非凡夫。”
 
第二十六品 法身非相分
“须菩提!于意云何?可以三十二相观如来不?”须菩提言:“如是!如是!以三十二相观如来。”佛言:“须菩提!若以三十二相观如来者,转轮圣王则是如来。”须菩提白佛言:“世尊!如我解佛所说义,不应以三十二相观如来。”尔时,世尊而说偈言:“若以色见我,以音声求我,是人行邪道,不能见如来”
 
第二十七品 无断无灭分
“须菩提!汝若作是念:‘如来不以具足相故,得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。’须菩提!莫作是念,‘如来不以具足相故,得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提。’须菩提!汝若作是念,发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心者,说诸法断灭。莫作是念!何以故?发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心者,于法不说断灭相。”
 
第二十八品 不受不贪分
“须菩提!若菩萨以满恒河沙等世界七宝布施;若复有人知一切法无我,得成于忍,此菩萨胜前菩萨所得功德。须菩提!以诸菩萨不受福德故。”须菩提白佛言:“世尊!云何菩萨不受福德?”“须菩提!菩萨所作福德,不应贪著,是故说不受福德。”
 
第二十九品 威仪寂净分
“须菩提!若有人言:如来若来若去、若坐若卧,是人不解我所说义。何以故?如来者,无所从来,亦无所去,故名如来。”
 
第三十品 一合理相分
“须菩提!若善男子、善女人,以三千大千世界碎为微尘,于意云何?是微尘众宁为多不?”“甚多,世尊!何以故?若是微尘众实有者,佛则不说是微尘众,所以者何?佛说:微尘众,即非微尘众,是名微尘众。世尊!如来所说三千大千世界,则非世界,是名世界。何以故?若世界实有,则是一合相。如来说:‘一合相,则非一合相,是名一合相。’须菩提!一合相者,则是不可说,但凡夫之人贪著其事。”
 
第三十一品 知见不生分
“须菩提!若人言:佛说我见、人见、众生见、寿者见。须菩提!于意云何?是人解我说义不?”“不也,世尊!是人不解如来所说义。何以故?世尊说:我见、人见、众生见、寿者见,即非我见、人见、众生见、寿者见,是名我见、人见、众生见、寿者见。”“须菩提!发阿耨多罗三藐三菩提心者,于一切法,应如是知,如是见,如是信解,不生法相。须菩提!所言法相者,如来说即非法相,是名法相。”
 
第三十二品 应化非真分
“须菩提!若有人以满无量阿僧祗世界七宝持用布施,若有善男子、善女人发菩提心者,持于此经,乃至四句偈等,受持读诵,为人演说,其福胜彼。云何为人演说,不取于相,如如不动。何以故?”“一切有为法,如梦幻泡影,如露亦如电,应作如是观”佛说是经已,长老须菩提及诸比丘、比丘尼、优婆塞、优婆夷,一切世间、天、人、阿修罗,闻佛所说,皆大欢喜,信受奉行。

(http://www.jingangjing.com/)

Other websites:
http://diamond.goodweb.cn/
http://www.nanhj.com/jddz/jddz/jgjssm.htm
http://bookgb.bfnn.org/books/0040.htm
http://www.geocities.com/franklufrank/

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Patriarch Shan Tao

The Pure Land Patriarch Shan Tao, traditionally considered a Transformation Body of Amitabha Buddha, was endowed with great spiritual powers and wisdom. However, in teaching Pure Land, he did not advocate the mystical and sublime but merely emphasized everyday, ordinary realities. His teachings on Exclusive Practice and Sundry Practices are extremely useful.

Exclusive Practice consists of the body bowing exclusively to Amitabha Buddha, the mouth exclusively repeating the Buddha's name. Out of ten thousand cultivators who practise in such a manner, ten thousand are assured of rebirth in the Pure Land.

Sundry Practices entail engaging in various methods of cultivation while dedicating the merits accrued toward rebirth in the Western Land. Since the practitioner's mind is not focussed or singleminded, it is difficult to accumulate merits. Thus, only three or four out of hundreds of thousands can hope to achieve rebirth in the Pure Land. These are true, golden words of advice, immutable throughout the ages. Both of you should follow them for your own benefit and in counselling everyone else.

Reciting mantras, too, should be considered an ancillary practice, rather than a principal method along with Buddha Recitation. The merits derived from mantra recitation are indeed inconceivable. However, ordinary people who achieve rebirth in the Pure Land owe it entirely to utterly sincere Faith and Vows, as these correspond to the lofty Vows of Amitabha Buddha. If you are not clear about this truth, thinking that all Dharmas are unfathomable and therefore it does not matter which method you cultivate, you will end up practising neither Zen nor Pure Land. This will lead to eons of wandering in the wasteland of Birth and Death -- whom, then, could you rely on for help?

You should realize that as a common being full of karmic obstructions, you will certainly find it difficult to escape Birth and Death in this very life unless you rely on the Vows of Amitabha Buddha. Only then will you discover that the Pure Land method surpasses other Dharma methods in power and utility!

Reciting mantras and sutras for the purpose of sowing merits and wisdom and eliminating evil karma and transgressions is all to the good. However, to be deluded and seek spiritual powers is to abandon the roots for the branches -- an error in judgement. If, furthermore, your mind is grasping, your understanding of the Dharma nebulous, your precept-keeping lax, your Bodhi Mind undeveloped and your discriminatory, win-lose mind raging unchecked, you will be exposed one day to demons that may drive you insane!

If you want to obtain spiritual powers, you should first attain Enlightenment and Buddhahood. Once Buddhahood is attained, you will naturally have full spiritual powers. If you do not strive for the Way but merely seek spiritual powers, let us not even speak about whether anything can be gained. If you should obtain anything, it would become an impediment to the Way. For this reason, the Buddhas and Patriarchs have strictly prohibited this erroneous form of cultivation. Because such ideas are common, I have taken the opportunity to mention them in passing.

(Pure-Land Zen, Zen Pure-Land)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Koan (kung-an)

In Zen, a koan is a phrase from a sutra or teaching on Zen realization, an episode from the life of an ancient master ... each pointing to the nature of ultimate reality. Essential to a koan is a paradox, i.e., that which is "beyond thinking", which transcends the logical or conceptual. Thus, since it cannot be solved by reason, a koan is not a riddle. Solving a koan requires a leap to another level of comprehension. (Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen, p.117.)

Buddha Recitation methods

There are, in general, four methods of Buddha Recitation: Real Mark Buddha Recitation; Visualization; Contemplation of an Image; and oral recitation (Holding the Name).

Real Mark Buddha Recitation is, essentially, a Zen practice and entails "entering the Mind's foremost meaning, reciting our own Original Buddha Nature".

Visualization (Contemplation by Thought) is the method thought in the Meditation Sutra, with its Sixteen Contemplations on the features of Amitabha Buddha and His Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Contemplation of an Image requires the practitioner to face a statue of Amitabha Buddha and impress all the features of that statue in his memory, to the point where he clearly sees Amitabha Buddha all the time, whether his eyes are open or closed.

Oral recitation consists simply of reciting the words "Amitabha Buddha), either silently or aloud. The important point here is to have a truly earnest and reverent mind. In fact, this method is so popular that it is often considered synonymous with Pure Land practice.

(For further details, see Master Thich Thien Tam, Buddhism of Wisdom and Faith sect.29)

Mistakened Aspirations

The ultimate goal of all Buddhist methods and practices is to escape Birth and Death and achieve Buddhahood, as the Buddhas did. This being the case, any other aspirations are mistaken and not in accord with the true intention of the Buddhas. Thus, such aspirations as rebirth as a male or as a king in the realms of gods and men, or even as a high-ranking master known far and wide, are questionable. These goals fall short of the ultimate aim of liberation. They can even be dangerous, given the weak nature of sentient beings, as power and influence provide the opportunity for heavy transgressions. Thus, the merits accrued in this lifetime are potential enemies of the third lifetime. (Pure-Land Zen, Zen Pure-Land)

Gathering the faculties together

The Method of Hearing is in keeping with the fundamental principle that if one sense-organ is intensely concentrated, all the other five sense-organs would be also held still automatically. This is the most fundamental tenet of the reciting method, as said in the Surangama Sutra: "when the six sense-organs are simultaneously held in concentration, there will be every pure thought in succession." (Hsu Heng Chi, What's Buddhism, p.56.)

Do not commit suicide

Do not think, furthermore, that to commit suicide is to free yourself of the cares and worries of this life! Once dead, your soul will be led away by the power of karma to be reborn in another body - not to mention that, given your angry state of mind, you may well be reborn in the animal realm. Under such circumstances, it will be difficult even to regain a female body. Should you succeed in being reborn as a woman or a man, or even as a ruler in the human or celestial realms, there is still no assurance that you will encounter the Dharma and engage in cultivation! Even if you are so fortunate, who knows if you will be in the good position to discover the Pure Land method - a method that enables each and every one to escape Birth and Death in one lifetime.

Moreover, even if you were fortunate enough to encounter the Pure Land method then, is it not much better to go on living and cultivating patiently right now, so that when this retribution body comes to an end, you will immediately achieve rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss?

Celestial realms in this text refers to the realms of the gods (beings superior to humans in merit and virtue). In Buddhist cosmology, there are two main divisions: realms subject to Birth and Death and realms beyond Birth and Death. Those realms still subject to Birth and Death include the hellish, animal, human and celestial realms, etc. The Buddha Realms/Lands (of which the Western Pure Land is part) are beyond the cycle of Birth and Death. (Pure-Land Zen, Zen Pure-Land)


http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/wheeloflife.html