信真愿真，何以念佛不肯常念乎。
[If with] Faith true [and] Aspiration true, why [are you] with recitation [of] Buddha[‘s name, yet] not willing [to more] often recite [it]?
念佛一法，极易修持，并不用摆脱资生事业。
[This] one method [to] recite Buddha[‘s name, is] extremely easy [to] cultivate [and] uphold, furthermore not needing [to] break away [from the] necessities of life [and your] occupation.
朝暮随各人工夫，立一功课。
[In the] morning [and] evening, according [to] each person’s effort, establish a [short or longer] homework [session to recite].
此外则一切时一切处，均可常念。
In addition to this, also [at] all times [and] all places, all can constantly recite.
或声或默，各取其便。
Perhaps verbally or silently, [with] each chosen that [is] convenient.
又须摄耳谛听
Also needing [to] gather [in the] ears [to] attentively listen [to that recited],
（此法妙极，大势至菩萨都摄六根，听则心归一处，名为净念），
(This method [is] extremely wonderful, [with] Great Power Arrived Bodhisattva’s gathering [in of the] six roots, listening thus, [having the] mind returning [to] one place, [this is] named as pure mindfulness),
久而久之，心自为一。
as time passes by, [the] mind [will] naturally become wholehearted.
今只以少时之念，而欲无妄念，何可得乎。
Now, [you with] only with [so] little time of recitation, yet desiring [to be] without false [or stray] thoughts, how [can this] be attained?
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
复杜荫南书
Reply Letter To Dù Yīnnán
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
