心之本体，与佛无二，故佛令人念佛。
[As the] fundamental essence of [our] minds, with [the] Buddhas’ [are] not two, thus [do] Buddhas enable people [to be] mindful [of] Buddha.
以佛威德神力之智慧火，烹炼凡夫夹杂烦恼惑业之佛心。
With [Amitābha] Buddha’s wisdom fire of majestic virtues [and] spiritual power, smelt [the] Buddha minds of ordinary beings mixed [with] afflictions, confusions [and evil] karmas, [with mindfulness of his name: ‘Āmítuófó’].
俾彼烦恼惑业，悉皆四散消落。
So that those afflictions, confusions [and evil] karmas, [will] all [in the] four [directions be] scattered [and] wither [away].
唯留清净纯真之心，方可谓心即佛，佛即心。
Only retaining [the] mind of purity, unmixed [and] true, then can [this be] called ‘[the] mind is the same as [the] Buddha, [the] Buddha is the same as [the] mind.’
未到此地位说，不过示其体性而已。
Yet [to] reach this position saying [so, is] no more than [to] reveal that essential nature only.
若论相 （事相） 与用 （力用） ，则完全不是矣。
If discussing [on] form [i.e. phenomenon] and function [i.e. power and function], then are [they] completely not [yet that of the essential nature].
佛之心，如出矿之金。
[The] minds of Buddhas, [are] like gold that [is] outside [gold] ore, [already fully smelted].
吾人之心，如在矿之金。
[The] minds of we people, [are] like gold that [is] inside [gold] ore, [not yet fully smelted].
虽有金之体性，了无金之功能。
Although having [the] essential nature of gold, [yet] completely without [the] function[ality] of gold.
是以自心是佛，更须要认真念佛，求生西方。
Therefore, [as] one’s mind is Buddha, [yet to be be smelted], even more must [we] earnestly [be] mindful [of Amitā(bha)] Buddha[‘s name (i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛), to] seek birth [in his] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss, where it is most swiftly completely smelted].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
(复周陈慧净居士书)
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(Reply Letter To Layperson Zhōu-Chén Huìjìng)
Note: Just as gold ore occurs with pure gold mixed with impurities in nature, our minds are likewise naturally mingled with Buddha-nature and defilements. This makes sense as if our minds are by default totally defiled, there would be no need to better ourselves, as it would not even be possible. And if our minds are by default totally pure, there should be no suffering or evil at all.
As long as our minds are yet to be refined, our Buddha-nature’s pure potential remains dormant, and to the extent that it is refined, its spiritual potential is unleashed. Spiritual cultivation is to refine our minds, to work towards fully unleashing this potential, to become Buddhas. The easiest and most direct way is to be mindful of Buddha, to connect to a Buddha’s fully refined mind, here and in his Pure Land, for constant connection, with its complete benefits.
Related Article:
How Nianfo Aligns To Buddha-Nature To Awaken Wisdom
https://purelanders.com/2014/09/26/how-does-nianfo-align-us-to-our-buddha-nature-to-awaken-wisdom
Namo Amituofo : Translation and note by Shen Shi’an
