Question: If I wish to copy the Pure Land Sūtras (净土经), where should I copy them from and in?
Answer: You can refer to the main Five Sūtras《五经》at https://purelanders.com/wujing for sincerely copying their original text in any blank notebooks dedicated for mindful copying. (These include school ‘exercise books’ and such available in stationary shops, with lines or squares perhaps, as preferred.)
Ideally, there should be reflection on the meaning of each word copied, so as to internalise the significance of that taught. Parts less familiar with should be further studied. Thus, there should not be ‘copying blindly’, although copying reverently does create some Dharma imprints in the mind, with meritorious virtues (功德) that can be dedicated (回向).
Question: What should I do with copied sūtras?
Answer: They should be treated respectfully, like any other sūtra book, kept on the shrine at home, in its drawers, or on shelves with other Buddhist texts. They should serve to remind and inspire oneself and others, on the teachings deliberated over. Even after one’s departure, these books may spur the interest of survivors to learn more. (These pointers can be written on them.)
Traditionally, when damaged beyond repair, such books are respectfully burnt in the midst of mindfulness of Buddha (念佛) to return them to the elements, but discreet recycling with other recyclables should be considered nowadays due to the climate crisis, after wrapping them with clean paper.
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Related Article:
为何抄经?
Why Copy Sūtras?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/03/why-copy-sutras
