[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [觀無量壽佛經疏](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753) › 1.6 # 觀無量壽佛經疏 1.6 觀無量壽佛經疏 1.6 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753.1.6) 第二、次釋名者。經言《佛說無量壽觀經》一卷。言佛者，乃是西國正音。此土名覺，自覺覺他覺行窮滿，名之為佛。言自覺者，簡異凡夫，此由聲聞狹劣唯能自利、闕無利他大悲故。言覺他者，簡異二乘，此由菩薩有智故能自利，有悲故能利他，常能悲智雙行、不著有無也。言覺行窮滿者，簡異菩薩，此由如來智行已窮、時劫已滿，出過三位，故名為佛。言說者，口音陳唱故名為說。又如來對機說法多種不同，漸頓隨宜，隱彰有異，或六根通說，相好亦然，應念隨緣，皆蒙證益也。言無量壽者，乃是此地漢音。言南無阿彌陀佛者，又是西國正音。又南者是歸，無者是命，阿者是無，彌者是量，陀者是壽，佛者是覺，故言歸命無量壽覺。此乃梵漢相對，其義如此。今言無量壽者是法，覺者是人，人法並彰，故名阿彌陀佛。 > Second, explaining the name: The sūtra states: 'The Sūtra on the Contemplation of Amitāyus Spoken by the Buddha, in one fascicle.' As for 'Buddha', this is the correct pronunciation from the Western realm. In this land it is called 'the Awakened One': one who is self-awakened, awakens others, and whose awakened conduct is fully perfected is called 'Buddha'. 'Self-awakened' distinguishes him from pṛthagjanas; this is because śrāvakas are narrow and inferior, able only to benefit themselves and lacking the great compassion to benefit others. 'Awakening others' distinguishes him from the two vehicles; this is because bodhisattvas possess wisdom and therefore can benefit themselves, and possess compassion and therefore can benefit others, constantly practicing both compassion and wisdom without clinging to existence or non-existence. 'Awakened conduct fully perfected' distinguishes him from bodhisattvas; this is because the Tathāgata's wisdom and practice are already exhausted, his eons already fulfilled, transcending the three stages; hence he is called 'Buddha'. As for 'spoken', setting forth and proclaiming with vocal sound is called 'spoken'. Furthermore, the Tathāgata preaches the Dharma according to faculties in many different ways: gradual or sudden according to what is appropriate, differing in being hidden or revealed; or preaching through all six sense faculties, and likewise through his marks and signs; responding to thought and according with conditions, all receive the benefit of realization. As for 'Amitāyus' \[Boundless Life\], this is the Chinese translation of this land. As for 'Namo Amitābha', this is the correct pronunciation from the Western realm. Furthermore, 'na' means taking, 'mo' means refuge \[or life\], 'a' means non-, 'mi' means measure, 'tā' means life, and 'bha' (fo) means awakened; thus it says 'taking refuge in the Awakened One of Boundless Life'. This is the Sanskrit and Chinese correspondence, and such is its meaning. Now, 'Boundless Life' is the Dharma, and 'the Awakened One' is the person. Person and Dharma are both manifested, hence the name Amitābha Buddha. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753.1.5) - [Next: 1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753.1.7) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753.1) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753~en-mt.1.6) — English, machine translation --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1753.1.6) · Pramāṇa