以苦为乐
With Suffering As Joy
厕虫之在厕也，自犬羊视之不胜其苦，而厕虫不知苦，方以为乐也。
Of toilet worms in toilets, naturally [with] dogs [and] sheep seeing of [them, are] not able to bear their suffering. Yet, toilet worms not knowing [this as] suffering, [are] then with [suffering] as joy.
犬羊之在地也，自人视之不胜其苦，而犬羊不知苦，方以为乐也。
Of dogs [and] sheep on ground, naturally [with] humans seeing of [them, are] not able to bear their suffering. Yet, dogs [and] sheep not knowing [this as] suffering, [are] then with [suffering] as joy.
人之在世也，自天视之不胜其苦，而人不知苦，方以为乐也。
Of humans in [this] world, naturally [with] heavenly [beings] seeing of [them, are] not able to bear their suffering. Yet, humans not knowing [this as] suffering, [are] then with [suffering] as joy.
推而极之，天之苦乐亦犹是也。
Pushing [this comparison] then, [till the Land] Of Ultimate [Bliss, the] heavens’ suffering [and] joy, likewise [are] like these.
知此而求生净土，万牛莫挽矣！
Knowing this [and] then seeking birth [in] Pure Land, [even] ten thousand bulls cannot pull [you away from this Aspiration]!
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
