愿我命终时，
除灭诸障碍，
面见阿弥陀，
往生安乐国。– 文殊师利菩萨
《文殊师利发愿经》May I [Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva], when life [is] ending,
eradicate all obstacles,
[to] personally see Amitā[bha Buddha come to receive me],
[to be] reborn [in his Pure] Land [Of] Peace [And] Bliss.– Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva
(Sūtra [On] Mañjuśrī’s Giving Rise [Of] Aspiration)
The most popular Mahāyāna sūtra is the Prajñā Pāramitā Heart Sūtra《般若波罗密多心经》, due to its profundity of compressed truths (on the nature of all forms, emptiness and the Middle Path), despite its brevity. It contains the perfect wisdom realised by all Buddhas, which strongly urges us to let go of all attachments, (including forms and emptiness), so as to be free from all obstacles, to realise the Ultimate Nirvāṇa (of Buddhahood).
The second most popular Mahāyāna sūtra is the Amitābha Sūtra《佛说阿弥陀经》, due to its clarity of direction (to reach Amitābha Buddha’s [阿弥陀佛: Āmítuófó] Pure Land as the swiftest path to Buddhahood), despite its moderate length. It contains the perfect compassion expressed by all Buddhas, who collectively urge us to hold on to the Practice of mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name, (with the deep Faith and sincere Aspiration), so as to reach the safest destination, to realise the Ultimate Nirvāṇa (of Buddhahood).
While it is wise to learn to let go of attachment to all, it is compassionate to ourselves and others, to learn to hold on to the safest refuge now, as in this Dharma-Ending Age, we will not master letting go in this single lifetime. Compassion and wisdom have to work hand in hand. (The Heart Sūtra is about letting go of all attachments with wisdom, but not about letting go of any compassion to anyone.)
Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva (文殊师利菩萨), who represents perfect wisdom was present at the Amitābha Sūtra’s assembly, to listen to it. It is thus of great wisdom on all, to learn and practise the Pure Land teachings. As a great Bodhisattva setting a perfect example, he too vowed to reach Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land in his vows, in the Sūtra [On] Mañjuśrī’s Giving Rise [Of] Aspiration《文殊师利发愿经》.
Guānshìyīn Bodhisattva (观世音菩萨), who represents perfect compassion was present at the Heart Sūtra’s assembly, to teach it. It is thus of great compassion to all, to learn and realise the Perfection Of Wisdom (Heart Sūtra) teachings. As the chief assistant Bodhisattva of Āmítuófó, she too vowed to guide beings towards and within Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land.
Since the Heart Sūtra’s teachings are not easy to fully understand, practise and realise in this present lifetime, we should reach Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land, where we can realise them fully for sure. Since the Perfection Of Wisdom teachings were also taught by Guānshìyīn Bodhisattva and Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, and as already fully realised by Āmítuófó, they can best be learnt directly through them there! Āmítuófó’s Pure Land is also, after all, the perfect expression of the Middle Path, of ‘true emptiness [manifesting as the most] wonderful forms’ (真空妙有) for guiding us with perfect compassion and wisdom towards Buddhahood! Námó Āmítuófó!
命欲终时，阿弥陀佛，
与观世音，大势至，
无量大众，眷属围绕，
持紫金台，至行者前…– 释迦牟尼佛
《观无量寿佛经》上品中生者When [their] lives almost end, Amitā[bha] Buddha, Contemplator [Of The] World’s Sounds [i.e. Guānshìyīn Bodhisattva], Great Strength Arrived [i.e. Dàshìzhì Bodhisattva, and [an] immeasurably great assembly, [with their] family members [from Pure Land will] surround, holding [a] purple-gold lotus platform, [to] arrive before [these] practitioners…
– Śākyamuni Buddha
(Sūtra [On] Contemplation [Of The] Buddha [Of] Immeasurable Life)
High Grade’s Middle Birth
Related Article:
Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva’s Verses Of Aspiration For Birth In Pure Land
https://purelanders.com/2017/05/31/manjusri-bodhisattvas-verses-of-aspiration-for-birth-in-pure-land
Related Courses:
The Heart Of The Heart Sūtra: The Core Of Wisdom
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2016/12/the-heart-of-the-heart-sutra-the-core-of-wisdom-11th-run
Understanding Āmítuófó Via The Amitābha Sūtra
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/12/understanding-amituofo-via-the-amitabha-sutra-20th-run
