真道人难
True Practitioners’ Difficulties
凡人造业者百，而为善者一二。
[Of] those ordinary humans creating karma [numbering a] hundred, yet those doing good [are but] one [or] two.
为善者百，而向道者一二。
[Of] those doing good [numbering a] hundred, yet those [going] towards [the] path [are but] one [or] two.
向道者百，而坚久者一二。
[Of] those [going] towards [the] path [numbering a] hundred, yet those resolute [for] long [are but] one [or] two.
坚久者百，而坚之又坚、久之又久，直至菩提，心不退转者一二。
[Of] those resolute [for] long [numbering a] hundred, yet [those] resolute to [walk the path, who are] further [more] resolute, [for] long [and] further [for] longer, until reaching Bodhi [i.e. awakening of Buddhahood], [with] minds not retrogressing, [are but] one [or] two.
如是最后，名真道人。难乎哉！
[As] such, [those reaching the] final [destination, are] named [as] true practitioners. [Becoming so is thus] difficult!
[Note: Thus, with the Pure Land Dharma Door (净土法门) being the Easy Practice Path (易行道), it should be taken. With non-retrogressing resolution or sincere Aspiration (切愿) in this life to reach Pure Land, where there is non-retrogression, Buddhahood will definitely be attained.]
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 & note by Shen Shi’an
