Nāgārjuna Bodhisattva龙树菩萨
龙树菩萨是著名的大乘佛教论师，在印度佛教史上被誉为“第二代释迦”，大约活跃于公元一五〇年至二五〇年之间，马鸣弟子迦毗摩罗尊者之弟子。龙树尊者著述丰富，有“千部论主”之称，是初期大乘佛教的集大成者。龙树尊者引述的大乘经中，包含了《无量寿经》《般舟三昧经》等宣说极乐净土的经典。在《十住毗婆沙论》中表示，忆念、称名、礼敬十方诸佛，是达到阿惟越致地的易行道。论中有称扬赞叹阿弥陀佛的偈颂，大略如下：“若人愿作佛，心念阿弥陀，应时为现身，是故我归命。彼佛本愿力，十方诸菩萨，来供养听法，是故我稽首。彼土诸菩萨，具足诸相好，以自庄严身，我今归命礼。彼诸大菩萨，日日于三时，供养十方佛，是故稽首礼。若人种善根，疑则华不开，信心清净者，华开则见佛。十方现在佛，以种种因缘，叹彼佛功德，我今归命礼。其土具严饰，殊彼诸天宫，功德甚深厚，是故礼佛足。”
龙树尊者还著有《大智度论》，开示修行念佛法门：“念佛三昧，能除种种一切烦恼及先世的罪业。其余的三昧，有的能除淫欲，却不能除瞋恨；有的能除瞋恨，却不能除淫欲；有的能除愚痴，而不能除淫欲及瞋恨；有的虽能同时除去贪瞋痴三毒，却不能除掉过去的罪业。而此念佛三昧，能除种种烦恼及先世罪业。念佛三昧，有大福德善根，能够度脱众生。如果有菩萨想要救度众生，其他的三昧，没有像念佛三昧的福德善根一样，能够迅速消灭一切罪恶。又佛陀为法王，菩萨为法将，菩萨最尊仰最敬重的只有诸佛世尊，是故应当常常念佛。譬如大臣，由于特别蒙受皇上的恩宠护念，因此常常思念感恩他的君主。菩萨也是这样，知道一切种种的功德，无量无边的智慧，都是从佛陀身边得来的，因为知道如来恩德极重的缘故，而常常念佛感恩。”又说：“如果时常发愿想要不离诸佛如来的人，那么此菩萨生生世世所生之处，常常可以遇到诸佛。”
Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna (龙树菩萨) is the famous Mahayana Buddhist thinker, known as the "Second Sakyamuni" in the history of Indian Buddhism. He founded the Middle Way (Madhyamika 中观) School, which best illustrates the doctrine of Shunyata (Emptiness).
He was active between 150 and 250 A.D., a disciple of Kapimara who was the disciple of Aśvaghoṣa. Venerable Nāgārjuna has written extensively and is known as the "master of a thousand treatises". He is the master of Mahayana Buddhism in the early days. He is also regarded as the founding father of the eight major Mahayana schools.
The Mahayana sutras quoted by Venerable Nāgārjuna include classics such as the Infinite Life Sutra and Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sūtra, proclaiming the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In Nāgārjuna's Treatise on the Ten Bodhisattva Grounds: The Dasabhumika Vibhasa, it's stated that to be mindful, to recite and to pay homage to the Buddhas of ten directions are the easy ways to reach enlightenment to the stage of non-regression (Avaivartika). There is a verse praising Amitabha Buddha in the commentary, which is roughly as follows: "If one wishes to realise Buddhahood, one is mindful of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha will appear at the right time, and thus I shall take refuge. Due to the fundamental vows of Amitabha Buddha, all the Bodhisattvas in the ten directions come to make offerings and listen to the Dharma. Thus I shall take refuge. All the Bodhisattvas in that Land are possessed with all the good features, adorned with merit and virtue; thus, I shall take refuge. All the Bodhisattvas in that Land make offerings to the Buddhas in the ten directions every day. Therefore, I shall take refuge. If one plants good roots but with doubt, then his lotus (in the Pure Land) cannot open; for those with pure faith, one can see the Buddha when the lotus opens. All the present Buddhas of the directions, due to various causes and conditions, all praise that Buddha's merit. I shall take refuge in the present. That Land is filled with adornments; those heavenly palaces are splendid, with profound merit. Thus I shall bow at the Buddha's feet."
Venerable Nāgārjuna also wrote "The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom", which taught the method of Nianfo (Amitabha-recitation): "The Nianfo Samadhi can eliminate all kinds of afflictions and previous evil karma. Other samadhis can eliminate lust, but not hatred; Some can get rid of hatred, but not lust; But this Nianfo Samadhi can eliminate all kinds of afflictions and evil karma. Nianfo Samadhi has great merit and good roots, which can save sentient beings. If there are Bodhisattvas who want to save sentient beings, no other samadhi like Nianfo Samadhi can quickly save them and eliminate all evils. The Buddha is the King of Dharma, and the Bodhisattva is the general of the Dharma. Bodhisattvas respect utmost the Buddhas, the World Honored Ones. Therefore, they should always chant the name of the Buddha (Amitabha Buddha). For example, because the emperor especially favours the ministers, thus the ministers often think of him and be grateful to him. Bodhisattvas are also like this. They know that all kinds of merits and virtues and immeasurable and boundless wisdom are obtained from the Buddha. Knowing the great kindness of the Tathagata, they often recite the Buddha's name and be grateful." It also says, "If you are someone who vows never to leave the Buddha Tathagatas, then these bodhisattvas can always encounter the Buddhas in the places where they have been born in life after life."
It is important to know that Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna also attained rebirth in Amitabha Buddha's Pure Land. He is currently in the Pure Land and has countless incarnations (like all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas) in all the worlds to help save sentient beings and deliver them to the Pure Land.
Here is a video in which Jiawen talks about the life of Nāgārjuna.
