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In Chinese and Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, the Primal Vow or Fundamental Vow (本願, hongan) is the 18th vow that is part of a series of 48 vows that Amitābha made in the Infinite Life Sutra. The Temple of the Primal Vow, Hongan-ji, is located in Kyoto, Japan.

Content

The text of the 18th vow of Amitabha Buddha, according to Infinite Life Sutra, reads:^[1]

If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the five gravest offences and abuse the right Dharma.^[2]

In the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra, Buddha taught Ajātasattu's mother, Queen Videhi, that those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest offenses, the ten evil acts and all kinds of immorality, when he is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who consoles him in various ways, teaching him the wonderful Dharma and urging him to be mindful of the Buddha; but he is too tormented by pain to do so, so the good teacher then advises him to repeat nianfo ten times. Because he calls the Buddha's name, with each repetition, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara is extinguished. ^[3]

Use of the term Primal Vow

The Japanese term hongan (本願) is derived originally from the Sanskrit term pūrvapraṇidhāna, meaning "original vow" or "original pronouncement." However, the use of pūrvapraṇidhāna for the 18th vow of Amitābha is not known in Indian Buddhism, which does not treat the 18th vow in any special way. The term pūrvapraṇidhāna typically refers to all the original vows made by a bodhisattva in order to develop bodhicitta and begin striving toward Buddhahood. Regarding Pure Land practice in Indian Buddhism, Hajime Nakamura writes that as described in the Pure Land sūtras from India, buddhānusmṛti or "mindfulness of the Buddha" is the essential practice.^[4] Buddhānusmṛti is called nianfo in Chinese and nembutsu in Japanese.

Role in Japanese Buddhism

In Japanese Buddhism, Amitabha Buddha is often associated with devotional practices, and he is regarded as striving to save those beings who are incapable of reaching Enlightenment through their negative karma, by leading them to Enlightenment. The founder of Jōdo-shū, Hōnen, emphasized the importance of the Primal Vow over the efficacy of practices espoused by his contemporaries in Tendai. These same teachings became central to the later Jōdo Shinshū sect as well.^[5]

This vow forms the basis of Pure Land Buddhism as well as nianfo/nembutsu. As in the vow, it applies not only to a dying person, death of self, but also to an animal,^[6] or a ghost wandering or in hell,^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]^[18] if he has accumulated enough merits in present or past lives,^[19]^[20]^[21]^[22] and willing to go there.

References

^ "The Immeasurable Life Sutra". Retrieved 2011-10-17.
^ Illustrated Pure Land Scriptures
^ Contemplation Sutra, Lowest Grade Lowest Rebirth, Page 15 https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/04amitabhaPureland/Amitayus.doc.pdf
^ Nakamura, Hajime. Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes. 1999. p. 205
^ "Shin Buddhism". Retrieved 2011-10-17.
^ 念佛感應與往生奇觀（下）
^ 黃燕平居士往生記實 - 大通永利
^ 引導中陰往生極樂
^ 楊玉田中陰身往生西方極樂世界記實：中陰身也能往生
^ 中陰身念佛往生見聞記
^ 侄儿中阴身往生，迅即现身度父母－－学佛网
^ 現金身帶小孩遊地獄極樂世界
^ 至誠念佛能破地獄
^ 先墮地獄後生天堂
^ 念佛一声地狱火灭
^ 慧淨法師/ 人生之目的
^ 信愿法师：某法师毁犯戒律堕地狱急念佛，阿弥陀佛带着莲台现前，阎罗王惊呆了
^ 念佛感应与往生奇观（上）
^ 動物往生佛國記
^ 生死书动物念佛往生净土
^ 动物念佛、往生案例
^ 動物往生實例

[1] "The Immeasurable Life Sutra". Retrieved 2011-10-17.

[2] Illustrated Pure Land Scriptures

[3] Contemplation Sutra, Lowest Grade Lowest Rebirth, Page 15 https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/04amitabhaPureland/Amitayus.doc.pdf

[nakamura-4] Nakamura, Hajime. Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes. 1999. p. 205

[5] "Shin Buddhism". Retrieved 2011-10-17.

[6] 念佛感應與往生奇觀（下）

[7] 黃燕平居士往生記實 - 大通永利

[8] 引導中陰往生極樂

[9] 楊玉田中陰身往生西方極樂世界記實：中陰身也能往生

[10] 中陰身念佛往生見聞記

[11] 侄儿中阴身往生，迅即现身度父母－－学佛网

[12] 現金身帶小孩遊地獄極樂世界

[13] 至誠念佛能破地獄

[14] 先墮地獄後生天堂

[15] 念佛一声地狱火灭

[16] 慧淨法師/ 人生之目的

[17] 信愿法师：某法师毁犯戒律堕地狱急念佛，阿弥陀佛带着莲台现前，阎罗王惊呆了

[18] 念佛感应与往生奇观（上）

[19] 動物往生佛國記

[20] 生死书动物念佛往生净土

[21] 动物念佛、往生案例

[22] 動物往生實例

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[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

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[10]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Pure Land Buddhist scripture passage}}
-{{Japanese Buddhism}}
-In Japanese [[Pure Land Buddhism]], the '''Primal Vow''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: 本願 ''hongan'') is the 18th vow that is part of a series of 48 vows that [[Amitabha Buddha]] made in the ''[[Infinite Life Sutra]]''.
+In Chinese and Japanese [[Pure Land Buddhism]], the {{Nihongo|'''Primal Vow''' or '''Fundamental Vow'''|本願|hongan}} is the 18th vow that is part of a series of 48 vows that [[Amitābha]] made in the ''[[Infinite Life Sutra]]''. The Temple of the Primal Vow, [[Hongan-ji]], is located in [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]].
 ==Content==
 The text of the 18th vow of Amitabha Buddha, according to ''Infinite Life Sutra'', reads:<ref>{{cite web|title=The Immeasurable Life Sutra| url=http://www12.canvas.ne.jp/horai/larger-sutra-1.htm| accessdate = 2011-10-17}}</ref>
-{{quote|If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the [[Anantarika-karma|five gravest offences]] and abuse the right Dharma.}}<ref>[http://horai.eu/sukhavati-index.htm Illustrated Pure Land Scriptures]</ref>
+{{quote|If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten quarters who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, desire to be born in my land, and call my Name, even ten times, should not be born there, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment. Excluded, however, are those who commit the [[Anantarika-karma|five gravest offences]] and abuse the right [[Dharma]].<ref>[http://horai.eu/sukhavati-index.htm Illustrated Pure Land Scriptures]</ref>}}
-In the [[Contemplation Sutra]], Lord Buddha taught King [[Ajatasattu]]'s mother, Queen Vaidehi, those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest offenses, the ten evil acts and all kinds of immorality, when he is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who consoles him in various ways, teaching him the wonderful Dharma and urging him to be mindful of the Buddha; but he is too tormented by pain to do so, The good teacher then advises him say Namo [[Amitabha]]ya Buddhaya ten times. Because he calls the Buddha's Name, with each repetition, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara is extinguished.
+In the ''[[Amitayurdhyana Sutra|Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra]]'', Buddha taught [[Ajatashatru|Ajātasattu]]'s mother, Queen Videhi, that those who attain birth on the lowest level of the lowest grade are the sentient beings who commit such evils as the five gravest offenses, the ten evil acts and all kinds of immorality, when he is about to die, he may meet a good teacher, who consoles him in various ways, teaching him the wonderful Dharma and urging him to be mindful of the Buddha; but he is too tormented by pain to do so, so the good teacher then advises him to repeat [[nianfo]] ten times. Because he calls the Buddha's name, with each repetition, the evil karma which he has committed during eighty kotis of kalpas of Samsara is extinguished. <ref> Contemplation Sutra, Lowest Grade Lowest Rebirth, Page 15
+https://huntingtonarchive.org/resources/downloads/sutras/04amitabhaPureland/Amitayus.doc.pdf</ref>
-Some sentient beings commited the five gravest offences but not abuse Buddhism when they are dying can be reborn to Buddha Amitabha's land, often there are past merits made by them.<ref>[http://www.jingshu.org/article-5814-1.html 无量寿经释 第六讲]</ref><ref>[http://www.phathoc.net/PrintView.aspx?Language=vi&ID=73440B 五逆往生”說初探]</ref><ref>[http://www.hwadzan.com/Know/k4/1804.html 往生故事分享]</ref><ref>[http://nianjue.org/fo/55991.html 凈空法師法語：惡人]</ref><ref>[http://www.fuyan.org.tw/8h/17.htm 迴向之初探]</ref>
 ==Use of the term ''Primal Vow''==
-The Japanese term ''hongan'' (本願) is derived originally from the [[Sanskrit]] term ''pūrva-praṇidhāna'', meaning "original vow" or "original pronouncement." However, the use of this term ''pūrva-praṇidhāna'' for the 18th vow of Amitabha Buddha is not known as part of [[Mahāyāna]] Buddhism in India, in which the 18th vow was not treated in any special way. The term ''pūrva-praṇidhāna'' typically refers to all the original vows made by a [[bodhisattva]] in order to develop [[bodhicitta]] and begin his strivings toward [[Buddhahood]]. Regarding Pure Land practice in Indian Buddhism, Hajime Nakamura writes that as described in the Pure Land sūtras from India, [[Mindfulness]] of the Buddha (Skt. ''buddhānusmṛti'') is the essential practice.<ref name=nakamura>Nakamura, Hajime. ''Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes.'' 1999. p. 205</ref> Mindfulness of the Buddha is called ''[[nianfo]]'' in Chinese, and ''nembutsu'' in Japanese.
+The Japanese term ''hongan'' (本願) is derived originally from the [[Sanskrit]] term ''pūrvapraṇidhāna'', meaning "original vow" or "original pronouncement." However, the use of pūrvapraṇidhāna for the 18th vow of Amitābha is not known in Indian Buddhism, which does not treat the 18th vow in any special way. The term ''pūrvapraṇidhāna'' typically refers to all the original vows made by a [[bodhisattva]] in order to develop [[bodhicitta]] and begin striving toward [[Buddhahood]]. Regarding Pure Land practice in Indian Buddhism, Hajime Nakamura writes that as described in the Pure Land sūtras from India, [[buddhānusmṛti]] or "mindfulness of the Buddha" is the essential practice.<ref name=nakamura>Nakamura, Hajime. ''Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes.'' 1999. p. 205</ref> Buddhānusmṛti is called ''nianfo'' in Chinese and ''nembutsu'' in Japanese.
 ==Role in Japanese Buddhism==
-In Japanese Buddhism, Amitabha Buddha is often associated with devotional practices, and he is regarded as striving to save those beings who are incapable of reaching Enlightenment through their negative karma, by leading them to Enlightenment. The founder of [[Jodo Shu]] Buddhism, [[Hōnen]], emphasized the importance of the Primal Vow over the efficacy of practices espoused by his contemporaries in [[Tendai]] Buddhism. These same teachings became central to the later [[Jodo Shinshu]] Buddhist sect as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shin Buddhism| url=http://www.hongwanji.or.jp/english/shinbuddhism.html| accessdate = 2011-10-17}}</ref>
+In Japanese Buddhism, Amitabha Buddha is often associated with devotional practices, and he is regarded as striving to save those beings who are incapable of reaching Enlightenment through their negative karma, by leading them to Enlightenment. The founder of [[Jōdo-shū]], [[Hōnen]], emphasized the importance of the Primal Vow over the efficacy of practices espoused by his contemporaries in [[Tendai]]. These same teachings became central to the later [[Jōdo Shinshū]] sect as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shin Buddhism| url=http://www.hongwanji.or.jp/english/shinbuddhism.html| accessdate = 2011-10-17}}</ref>
-This vow forms the basis of [[Pure Land]] Buddhism as well as the practice known as nianfo (Ch.), or nembutsu (Jp.) in Asia. As in the vow, it applied not only to a dying person, but also to an animal,<ref>[http://www.templevisit.org/Selection_content.asp?AutoNo=18831 念佛感應與往生奇觀（下）]</ref> or a ghost wandering or in hell,<ref>[http://www.dtyl.com/uploadfiles/20131104132456662.pdf 黃燕平居士往生記實 - 大通永利]</ref><ref>[http://www.sjskim.org/pure_land/aff/2/aff2_15.htm 引導中陰 往生極樂]</ref><ref>[http://nianjue.org/fo/65834.html 楊玉田中陰身往生西方極樂世界記實：中陰身也能往生]</ref><ref>[http://www.pureland-buddhism.org/念佛感應事蹟/念佛往生/中陰身念佛往生見聞記.aspx 中陰身念佛往生見聞記]</ref><ref>[http://www.xuefo.net/show1_234527.htm 侄儿中阴身往生，迅即现身度父母－－学佛网]</ref><ref>[http://www.amitofo3.net/ji/books/a05.html 現金身帶小孩遊地獄極樂世界]</ref><ref>[http://www.lama.com.tw/content/msg/DiscussDetail.aspx?id=5788 至誠念佛能破地獄]</ref><ref>[http://www.sjskim.org/sd/sy/sy_89.htm 先墮地獄後生天堂]</ref><ref>[http://www.fomen123.com/fo/shiji/ganying/1785.html 念佛一声 地狱火灭]</ref><ref>[http://iom33329.cwsurf.de/人生之目的　慧淨法師/ 人生之目的]</ref><ref>[http://www.foyaojiuni.com/amtf/201404/96993.html 信愿法师：某法师毁犯戒律堕地狱急念佛，阿弥陀佛带着莲台现前，阎罗王惊呆了]</ref><ref>[http://hk.plm.org.cn/gnews/2008319/200831991941.html 念佛感应与往生奇观（上）]</ref> if he has accumulated enough merits in present or past lives,<ref>[http://www.pureland-buddhism.org/淨土宗叢書/隨身書/動物往生佛國記/動物往生佛國記.aspx 動物往生佛國記]</ref><ref>[http://www.fosss.org/SheLi/DongWu/Index.html 生死书动物念佛往生净土]</ref><ref>[http://www.zhibeifw.com/fjgc/qshs_list.php?id=10433 动物念佛、往生案例]</ref><ref>[http://medi.pixnet.net/blog/post/4620016-動物往生實例數則 動物往生實例]</ref> and willing to go there.
+This vow forms the basis of [[Pure Land Buddhism]] as well as nianfo/nembutsu. As in the vow, it applies not only to a dying person, death of self, but also to an animal,<ref>[http://www.templevisit.org/Selection_content.asp?AutoNo=18831 念佛感應與往生奇觀（下）]</ref> or a ghost wandering or in hell,<ref>[http://www.dtyl.com/uploadfiles/20131104132456662.pdf 黃燕平居士往生記實 - 大通永利]</ref><ref>[http://www.sjskim.org/pure_land/aff/2/aff2_15.htm 引導中陰 往生極樂]</ref><ref>[http://nianjue.org/fo/65834.html 楊玉田中陰身往生西方極樂世界記實：中陰身也能往生]</ref><ref>[http://www.pureland-buddhism.org/念佛感應事蹟/念佛往生/中陰身念佛往生見聞記.aspx 中陰身念佛往生見聞記]</ref><ref>[http://www.xuefo.net/show1_234527.htm 侄儿中阴身往生，迅即现身度父母－－学佛网]</ref><ref>[http://www.amitofo3.net/ji/books/a05.html 現金身帶小孩遊地獄極樂世界]</ref><ref>[http://www.lama.com.tw/content/msg/DiscussDetail.aspx?id=5788 至誠念佛能破地獄]</ref><ref>[http://www.sjskim.org/sd/sy/sy_89.htm 先墮地獄後生天堂]</ref><ref>[http://www.fomen123.com/fo/shiji/ganying/1785.html 念佛一声 地狱火灭]</ref><ref>[http://iom33329.cwsurf.de/人生之目的　慧淨法師/ 人生之目的]</ref><ref>[http://www.foyaojiuni.com/amtf/201404/96993.html 信愿法师：某法师毁犯戒律堕地狱急念佛，阿弥陀佛带着莲台现前，阎罗王惊呆了]</ref><ref>[http://hk.plm.org.cn/gnews/2008319/200831991941.html 念佛感应与往生奇观（上）]</ref> if he has accumulated enough merits in present or past lives,<ref>[http://www.pureland-buddhism.org/淨土宗叢書/隨身書/動物往生佛國記/動物往生佛國記.aspx 動物往生佛國記]</ref><ref>[http://www.fosss.org/SheLi/DongWu/Index.html 生死书动物念佛往生净土]</ref><ref>[http://www.zhibeifw.com/fjgc/qshs_list.php?id=10433 动物念佛、往生案例]</ref><ref>[http://medi.pixnet.net/blog/post/4620016-動物往生實例數則 動物往生實例]</ref> and willing to go there.
 == References ==
 <references />
-{{Buddhism-stub}}
 [[Category:Mahayana sutras]]