在家人不随众，各人念佛。
Householders, [when] not following assemblies [for practice, should] each one, [by themselves, be] mindful [of] Buddha.
坐立绕跪，皆无不可。
[By] sitting, standing, circumambulating, kneeling [and prostrating, of] all [these postures, there is] none [that] cannot [be practised with].
但不可执定一法，若执定，则人易劳而心或难得相应。
However, [there] must not [be] attachment [to] fix [upon] one method, [as] if attached [to] fix [upon only one], thus [will] one easily [be] tired [with it], and [the] mind might [find it] difficult [to] attain correspondence [with Amitā(bha) Buddha].
当斟酌其自己之色力及工夫，而取其合宜行之，则有益矣。
[There] should [be] consideration [of] their own physical energy and skill, and obtaining [of] that [posture] suitable [for] practice [then]. Thus are [there] benefits.
若常途通行，宜先绕，次坐，次跪。
If [for] routine [and] general practice, [there] should first [be] circumambulating, next sitting, next kneeling [and prostrating].
绕跪皆觉辛苦，宜坐念。
[With] circumambulating, kneeling [and prostrating, when] all [are] felt [to be] exhausting, [there] should [be] sitting [to be] mindful.
坐念若起昏沉，宜绕念，或立念。
Sitting [to be] mindful, if giving rise [to] dullness [or drowsiness, there] should [be] circumambulating [to be] mindful, or standing [to be] mindful.
昏沉去，当复坐念。
[With] dullness [or drowsiness] gone, [one] should again sit [to be] mindful.
宜按钟，不宜掐珠，以掐珠难养心故。
[There] should [be practice sessions measured] according [to a] clock [or timer, and there] should not [be] clutching [of prayer] beads [for counting, as] with clutching [of] beads, [it is] difficult [to] cultivate [one’s] mind [wholeheartedly, as they might cause attachment and distraction].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
复陈慧超书 [4]
Reply Letter To Chén Huìchāo [Part 4]
Namo Amituofo : Translation & notes by Shen Shi’an
