釋淨土群疑論 2.10

2.10

Question: The Faj句 jing states that the Buddha told the Bodhisattva Baoming: 'Good man! For now, observe these names of the Buddhas: are they existent, or are they non-existent? Are they real, or are they unreal? Good man! If names were existent, speaking of food to a person should cause them to be full and satisfied. If they were to be full and satisfied, all food and drink would be of no use. Why is this? Because speaking of food would immediately bring satiety, and there would be no need to eat.' According to the meaning of this sūtra, it intends to clarify that the nature of names is empty, and they cannot express all phenomena. Now, since you teach people to exclusively recite the Buddha's name in order to eradicate the sins of grave obstacles and be reborn in the West, how is this different from speaking of food to bring fullness, or talking of broth to dispel thirst?