Why Use Āmítuófó’s Name To Plant Good Roots? 为何用阿弥陀佛名号种善根？

念佛一事，约现生得利益，必须要至诚恳切常念。

[On this] one practice [of] mindfulness [of Amitābha] Buddha, [the] crucial point [for this] present life’s attainment [of] benefits, [is that there] must [be] utmost sincerity [and] earnestness, [with] frequent recitation [of his name: ‘Āmítuófó’].

若种善根，虽戏顽而念一句，亦于后世定有因此善根而发起修持者。

If [only for] planting good roots, although [in] jest [and] play then reciting [the] one line [of his name, this] likewise in [a] later life, [will] definitely, due [to] these good roots [planted], then give rise [to] those [who] cultivate upholding [of it, thus leading to Pure Land and Buddhahood].

故古人大建塔庙，欲一切人见之而种善根。

Thus, ancient ones, [when] building great pagodas [and] temples, desiring all people [to] see it and plant good roots, [write his name prominently on big walls and signboards].

此一句佛，在八识田中永久不灭。

This one line [of the] Buddha’s name, in [the] eighth consciousness’ field within, [is] everlasting [and will] never [be] destroyed.

佛在世时，一老人欲投佛出家，五百圣众，观其八万劫来，毫无善根，拒而不纳。

When [the] Buddha [was] in [this] world, an old man desired [to] join [the] Buddha, [by] leaving [the] household [life], five hundred noble [ones in the] assembly, contemplating [that as] he, [for] eighty thousand kalpas since, [was] without [the] least good roots [planted, they] rejected and [did] not accept [him].

其人在祇园外号哭，佛令召来与之说法，即证道果。

[As] that person at Jeta Grove outside wailed, [the] Buddha summoned [to] come, and [for him] spoke [the] Dharma, [with him] immediately realising [the] path’s fruit.

五百圣众，莫明其妙，问佛。

[As the] five hundred noble [ones in the] assembly [did] not understand such [a] wonder, [they] asked [the] Buddha [about it].

佛言:「此人于无量劫前，因虎逼上树，念一句南无佛，遇我得道。

[The] Buddha said, ‘This person, in immeasurable kalpas before, because [of a] tiger, [who] forced [him] up [a] tree, [he] recited one line [of] “Námó Buddha[ya”, thus able to] meet me [and] attain [the] path.’

非汝等声闻道眼所能见也。」

[This is] not [what] you [and] others [of] Voice-Hearers’ path’s eye, that able [to be] seen.’

净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(复张觉明女居士书九)
(9th Reply Letter To Laywoman Zhāng Juémíng)

Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an