‘回向之法虽不一，然必以回向净土，为唯一不二之最妙法。
‘Although the methods for dedication [of meritorious virtues (merits)] vary, there must however, be with dedication for [birth in Amitabha Buddha’s (Amituofo)] Pure Land, as this is the only one most wonderful method, with no second one.
以其余大愿，
With [your] other great vows,
不生净土，
每难成就。
若生净土，
无愿不成。
not being born in Pure Land [but back in Samsara],
every difficulty [might] be accomplished.*
If born in Pure Land
there are no vows that cannot be accomplished.
以此之故，凡一切所作功德，即别有所期，亦必须又复回向净土也。’
With this reason, all created meritorious virtues, even if with other hopes, also must, again, be dedicated for [birth in] Pure Land.’
* Every kind of difficulty can manifest in Samsara (the present cycle of birth and death) since this is where all kinds of negative karma can manifest to obstruct fulfilment of vows – which will be forgotten in the next life due to forgetting of ALL Dharma learnt in past lives.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yinguang
复愚僧居士书
Reply letter to ‘foolish monastic(s) and layperson(s)’
