心得
Insights Attained
以耳听受而得者，不如以目看读而得者之广也。
Those with ears listening [to] receive, so as to attain [insight, are] not equal to those with eyes seeing [to] read, so as to attain [insight, in terms] of [its] vastness.
以目看读而得者，不如以心悟明而得者之极其广也。
Those with eyes seeing [to] read, so as to attain [insight, are] not equal to those with minds awakening clearly, so as to attain [insight, in terms] of [its] extreme vastness.
以心为君、以目为臣、以耳为佐使，可也。
With [the] mind as [the] king, with eyes as ministers, [and] with ears as assistant guides, [this] can [be done].
用目当心，斯下矣。
Using eyes to be [the] mind, thus [is] inferior.
用耳当目，又下之下矣！
Using ears to be eyes, [is] further inferior [to that] inferior!
净土宗八祖莲池大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 8th Patriarch Great Master Liánchí
《竹窗随笔》
Essays Written [By The] Bamboo Window
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
