“The Western Buddhas probably understand too much” refers to the carelessness of ordinary people who see the Buddhas as having worldly minds like themselves, unaware that the law of karma spares no one. If their hearts are kind and virtuous, blessings will naturally come; the Buddhas are not the ones who bestow favors or forgive sins. Although they reside in the Western Pure Land, they always remember sentient beings and understand what they are doing. And they will quickly save those who earnestly recite their names.
They constantly rebuke those who do not cultivate virtue and do good deeds, who continue to commit evil acts and then bring money and objects to the temple to worship, thinking that doing so will atone for their sins. Little do they know that the Buddhas understand every action and even the smallest thought of sentient beings, and they always welcome those who return to the Dharma with sincere hearts. As for those who bring many offerings to the temple to worship the Buddha, but only to seek blessings and not truly to practice, the Buddhas do not accept them.
Although the Buddhas reside in the distant Western Paradise, if anyone repents and sincerely remembers them, the Buddha will immediately respond and use his divine power to protect that practitioner. The Master also longs for all people to escape calamities and guide each other to the realm of the Immortals and Buddhas, so that they may all enjoy peace and liberation. He looks throughout the world and sees that the people suffer more than they enjoy, yet they constantly chase after material possessions and wealth, ultimately leading nowhere, only to see their suffering accumulate.
Through the following two lines of poetry, we see that the Master is one of those saviors of the world. The Evil Dragon is a metaphor for a future world of worldly struggles for power and dominance, where only the most virtuous and saintly figures can bring peace and stability to the nation.
“I received the Western Paradise’s decree,
to guard the Evil Dragon and save the mortal world.”
EVIL DRAGON: A ferocious dragon. In terms of inner character, a malicious heart is the evil dragon. According to prophetic interpretations, near the end of the world, a beast (a crocodile transforming into a dragon) will appear to kill the wicked: “At that time, a storm will rise, and a monstrous beast will devour the wicked” (Prophecy, Chapter 1). (See also the note on the word “monstrous beast”)
Other names: Western Paradise Pure land
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