September 16, 2025
Venerable Wuling in Infinite Life Sutra Commentary
“Tranquil and peaceful, they are free of desires” means that the bodhisattvas in the Pure Land are tranquil and contented, and have no desires. We may wonder whether the vows of Buddhas and bodhisattvas to help all sentient beings are a desire. The first of the four great vows is to help all of the innumerable sentient beings and every one of Amitabha Buddha's forty-eight vows is to bring about the liberation of all sentient beings. These are aspirations, not desires. A desire is wanting something now and attaching to the outcome. It is not the same as an aspiration. Aspirations contain no attachments. Without attachments, Buddhas and bodhisattvas patiently aspire to help all beings.

Explanation of the Infinite Life Sutra
Pure Land Translation Team

 

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