【在念佛却】妄想起时，只一个不理，便不会妄上生妄。【注：应当回归一心念佛。】
When [a] deluded, [stray or wandering] thought arises [while practising mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name, there should] only [be the] one [response of] not paying attention [to it, and there] thus will not [be] arising of [more] deluded [thoughts] upon [that] deluded [thought]. [Note: One should simply return to wholehearted mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name.]
譬如小人撒赖，若主人不理，彼即无势可乘。若用刚法抵制，彼亦以刚法从事。
For example, [if a] person with little virtue makes a scene [or acts shamelessly], if [the] master does not pay attention, that [person is] thus without power to take advantage. If using [an unyielding method [to] resist, that [person might] also with [an] unyielding method [retaliate to] deal [with it].
若以柔法安慰，彼必谓主人怕他，又必益加决烈。二者皆损多而益少。
If with [a] yielding method [to] console, that [person] will say [the] master [is] afraid [of] him, [and] again, will all the more [be] determined [to] exploit. All [of] both [will have] much harm and little benefit.
只置之不见不闻，彼既无势可乘，只得逡(qūn)巡而去。
Only pay no attention, by not seeing [and] not hearing, [and] that [person will] both [be] without power to take advantage, [and] have no alternative but to retreat and leave.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
(复温光熹居士书一)
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(First reply letter to layperson Wēn Guāngxī)
Namo Amituofo : Translation and note by Shen Shi’an
