Translations

[4] Amitābha Sūtra’s Principles《阿弥陀经》之宗 The Third Layer Of Profound Meaning 第三重玄义 Six Faiths 六信

甲三、明宗

A3: Explanation [Of] Principles

第三明宗。

Third, [is] explanation [of] principles.

宗是修行要径,会体枢机,而万行之纲领也。

Principles are [for] cultivation [of] practice’s important path, [for] understanding Essential [Nature’s] pivot [or hinge (i.e. centre of power)] [and] trigger, and [as the] hawser [and] collar [i.e. guiding principles] of ten thousand practices.

提纲则众目张,

Raising [the] hawser, thus [will the net’s] mesh open up.

[Note 1: ‘纲’ (hawser) is also short for ‘大纲’ (main points), and ‘目’ (mesh) short for ‘细目’ (detailed listing).]

挈领则襟袖至,

Lifting [the] collar, thus [will the] lapel [and] sleeves arrive [in place].

故体后应须辨宗。

Thus [with the] essence after, [there] should [be] distinguishment [of the] principles.  

此经以信愿持名为修行之宗要。

This sūtra [is] with Faith [and] Aspiration upholding [the] name as [the] essential principle of cultivating Practice.

非信不足启愿,

[If] not [with] Faith, [it is] not enough [to] inspire Aspiration.

非愿不足导行,

[If] not [with] Aspiration, [it is] not enough [to] guide Practice.

非持名妙行,不足满所愿而证所信。

[If] not [with] upholding [the] name’s wonderful Practice, [it is] not enough [to] fulfil that Aspiration and realise that [with] Faith [in].

经中先陈依正以生信,次劝发愿以导行,次示持名以径登不退。

[The] sūtra within first states [the] Circumstantial [and] Direct [Rewards] for giving rise [to] Faith, next encouraging giving rise [to] Aspiration for guiding Practice, next showing upholding [of the] name for directly ascending [to] non-retrogression.

信则信自、信他、信因、信果、信事 、信理。

Faith thus [is] Faith [In] Self, Faith [In] Other, Faith [In] Cause, Faith [In] Effect, Faith [In] Practice, [and] Faith [in Principles].

愿则厌离娑婆,欣求极乐。

Aspiration thus [is with] revulsed renunciation [of the] Sahā [World, and] joyfully seeking [of the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss.

行则执持名号,一心不乱。

Practice thus [is to faithfully and] firmly uphold [the] name [of Āmítuófó, with] wholeheartedness without [being] scattered.

[Note 2: The simplest way to understand wholeheartedness without being scattered is to be utmostly sincere without change of mind.]

信自者,信我现前一念之心,本非肉团, 亦非缘影,

[1] That [called] Faith [In] Self, [is to have] Faith [that] my presently manifested one thought of [the] mind, [is] originally not [this] meat lump, also not [a] conditioned image,

竖无初后,横绝边涯,终日随缘,终日不变。

vertically without before [and] after, horizontally surpassing boundaries, all day according [to] conditions, all day not changing.

十方虚空微尘国土,元我一念心中所现物。

[The] ten directions’ empty space’s dust motes [of] lands, [are] originally [from] my one thought of [the] mind within that appears [with] objects.

我虽昏迷倒惑,苟一念回心,决定得生自心本具极乐,更无疑虑。

I, although [am with] dullness [and] inverted confusions, if [with] one thought returning [to this] mind, definitely [can] attain birth [in one]self’s mind’s originally possessed [Land Of] Ultimate Bliss, without further doubts [and] misgivings.

是名信自。

[This] is named Faith [In] Self.

信他者,信释迦如来决无诳语,弥陀世尊决无虚愿,六方诸佛广长舌决无二言。

[2] That [called] Faith [In] Others, [is to have] Faith [that] Śākya[muni] Thus Come [One is] definitely without deceitful speech, Āmítuófó, [the] World-Honoured [One is] definitely without empty vows, [and the] six directions’ all Buddhas [who extend their] broad [and] long tongues [are] definitely without different speech.

随顺诸佛真实教诲,决志求生,更无疑惑。

Following all Buddhas’ true teachings [and] instructions, [to be] determined [in] seeking birth, without further doubts [and] confusions.

是名信他。

[This] is named Faith [In] Others.

信因者,深信散乱称名,犹为成佛种子,况一心不乱,安得不生净土?  

[3] That [called] Faith [In] Cause, [is to have] profound Faith [that as with the] scattered mind reciting [the] name, [is] still with accomplishing [of] Buddhahood’s seed, moreover, [if] wholehearted without [being] scattered. How [can this] not attain birth [in] Pure Land?

是名信因。

[This] is named Faith [In] Cause.

信果者,深信净土诸善聚会,皆从念佛三昧得生。

[4] That [called] Faith [In] Effect, [is to have] profound Faith [that] Pure Land’s all good [persons who] gather [and] meet [there, are] all from Samādhi [From] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha [who] attained birth.

[Note 3: With Āmítuófó firmly connected to with wholehearted (i.e. utmost sincere) mindfulness of his name, thus with his blessings, this concentration will naturally arise.]

如种瓜得瓜,种豆得豆,亦如影必随形,响必应声,决无虚弃。

Like [how] planting melon [seeds] attains melons, [and] planting beans attains bean [sprouts], also like [how] shadows definitely follow forms, [and] echoes definitely respond [to] sounds, [it is] definitely without [those with Faith in] vain [and] abandoned.

是名信果。

[This] is named Faith [In] Effect.

信事者,深信只今现前一念不可尽故,依心所现十方世界亦不可尽。

[5] That [called] Faith [In] Practice, [is to have] profound Faith [that as this] presently manifested one thought cannot [be] exhausted thus, relying [upon this] mind [are] those appearing ten directions’ worlds, [that] likewise cannot [be] exhausted.  

实有极乐国在十万亿土外,最极清净庄严,不同庄生寓言。

[There] truly is [the] Land [Of] Ultimate Bliss at ten [of] ten thousand [of] koṭis [of] lands beyond, [that is the] most ultimately pure [and] magnificent, [that is] not [the] same [as] Zhuāng Shēng’s allegories.

[Note 4: Zhuāng Shēng (庄生) is Zhuāngzi (庄子),who used fictitious allegories to illustrate various principles he wished to explain.]  

是名信事。

[This] is named Faith [In] Practice.

信理者,深信十万亿土,实不出我今现前介尔一念心外,以吾现前一念心性实无外故。

[6] That [called] Faith [In] Principles, [is to have] profound Faith [that] ten [of] ten thousand [of] koṭis [of] lands, [are] truly not outside my presently manifested [and even] utmost small one thought’s mind externally, with my presently manifested One Thought’s Mind-Nature truly without [that] external thus.  

又深信西方依正主伴,皆吾现前一念心中所现影。

Also [with] profound Faith [that the] Western [Pure Land’s] Circumstantial [and] Direct [Rewards], Master [and] companions, all [are] my presently manifested one thought’s mind within that appear [with] images.

全事即理,全妄即真,全修即性,全他即自。

Complete Practice is the same as Principles, [the] completely false is the same as [the] true, complete Cultivated [Virtues] [i.e. 修德] is the same as Nature[‘s Virtues] [i.e. 性德], complete Other is the same as Self.

我心遍故,佛心亦遍,一切众生心性亦遍。

[With] my mind pervasive thus, [the] Buddha’s mind [is] likewise pervasive, [and] all sentient beings’ Mind-Nature [is] likewise pervasive.

譬如一室千灯,光光互遍,重重交摄,不相妨碍。

For example, a room [with a] thousand lamps, [has each and every one of their] lights, one another pervading [it], layer [upon] layer intersecting [and] gathering, not obstructing one another.    

是名信理。

[This] is named Faith [In] Principles.

如此信已,则娑婆即自心所感之秽,而自心秽,理应厌离;

Like this, [with] Faith already, thus [know that this] Sahā [World] is the same as [the] defilements of one’s mind, that induces [them], and [of] one’s mind’s defilements, [there] should [be] revulsed renunciation [of them].

极乐即自心所感之净,而自心净,理应欣求。

[The Land Of] Ultimate Bliss is the same as [the] purity of one’s mind, that induces [it], and [of] one’s mind’s purity, [there] should [be] joyful seeking [of it].

厌秽须舍至究竟,方无可舍;

Revulsed [renunciation of the] defiled must [have] renouncing [that] reaches [the] ultimate, then [is this] without [what] can [be] renounced.

欣净须取至究竟,方无可取。

Joyful [seeking of the] pure must [have] obtaining [that] reaches [the] ultimate, then [is this] without [what] can [be] obtained.

故《妙宗》云:「取舍若极,与不取舍亦非异辙。」

Thus [does the] ‘Wonderful Principles’ [Transcript]’ 《妙宗钞》say, ‘Obtaining [and] renouncing, if ultimate, with not obtaining [and not] renouncing, [are] also not [on different [wheel] tracks.’

设不从事取舍,但尚不取不舍,即是执理废事。

If not with Practice obtaining [and] renouncing, but still not obtaining [and] not renouncing, [this] is the same as [being] attached [to] Principles [with] discarding [of] Practice.

既废于事,理亦不圆。

Since [with] discarding [of] Practice, Principles [are] also not complete.

若达全事即理,则取亦即理,舍亦即理。

If understanding [that] complete Practice is the same as Principles, thus [is] obtaining likewise the same as Principles, renouncing likewise is the same as Principles.

一取一舍,无非法界。

[With] one obtained [and] one renounced, [is] without [that] not [of the] Dharma realm.

故次信而明愿也。

Thus next, [after] Faith, then explaining Aspiration.

言执持名号一心不乱者,名以召德,德不可思议,故名号亦不可思议。

Speaking [of] those [who] firmly uphold [the] name wholeheartedly without [being] scattered, with [the] name summoning virtues, [with these] virtues [being] inconceivable, thus [is the] name likewise inconceivable.

名号功德不可思议,故使散称为佛种,执持登不退也。

[The] name’s meritorious virtues [are] inconceivable, thus enabling scattered recitation [of it] for [planting] Buddhahood’s seed, [and] firm upholding [of it for] ascending [to] non-retrogression.

然诸经示净土行,万别千差。

However, many sūtras’ revealed Pure Land practices, [are with] ten thousand distinctions [and a] thousand differences.

如观像、观想、礼拜供养、五悔六念等, 一一行成,皆生净土。

Like contemplation [of] images, visualisation, prostration, making [of] offerings, [practice of the] Five Repentances, Six Mindfulnesses [and] others, [with] each [and] every [one] accomplished, all [can be] born [in] Pure Land.

[Note 5:

Five Repentances (五悔):

(1) Confession [Of Faults And] Correction (忏悔)
(2) Request [of Buddha to abide in the world, to turn the Dharma Wheel (劝请: 请佛住世、请转法轮)
(3) Rejoice [In Meritorious Virtues] (随喜[功德])
(4) Dedication [Of Meritorious Virtues] (回向[功德])
(5) Giving Rise [To] Aspiration (发愿)

Six Mindfulnesses (六念):

(1) Mindfulness [Of] Buddha (念佛)
(2) Mindfulness [Of] Dharma (念法)
(3) Mindfulness [Of] Saṃgha (念僧)
(4) Mindfulness [Of] Precepts (念戒)
(5) Mindfulness [Of] Generosity (念施)
(6) Mindfulness [Of] Heavenly [Beings’ Virtues] (念天)]

唯持名一法,收机最广,下手最易。

Only upholding [the] name, [this] one Dharma [Door, is with the] gathering [of] capacities [the] most vast, [and with] starting [of practice the] most easy. 

故释迦慈尊,无问自说,特向大智舍利弗拈出。

Thus [did] Śākya[muni Buddha, the] honoured [one with] loving-kindness, without asking self-spoke [this sūtra], specially towards [the] great wise [one] Śariputra, [for him] picking out [this teaching].

可谓方便中第一方便,了义中无上了义,圆顿中最极圆顿。

[It] can [be] called, [of] expedient [means] within, [the] foremost expedient means, [of teachings] definitive [in] meaning within, [the] unsurpassably definitive [in] meaning, [of] Complete [and] Sudden [Dharma Doors] within, [the] most ultimately Complete [and] Sudden.

故云:「清珠投于浊水,浊水不得不清;佛号投于乱心,乱心不得不佛」也。

Thus saying, ‘[When a] purification gem [is] thrown into defiled water, [the] defiled water cannot not purify. [When the] Buddha’s name [is] thrown into [the] scattered mind, [the] scattered mind cannot not [be one with the] Buddha.’    

信愿持名,以为一乘真因;

[With] Faith [and] Aspiration upholding [the] name, acts as [the] One Vehicle’s true cause.

四种净土,以为一乘妙果。

[The] four kinds [of] Pure Lands, act as [the] One Vehicle’s wonderful fruits.

举因则果必随之,故以信愿持名为经正宗。

[Giving] rise [to the] cause, thus [will the] effect definitely follow it, thus with Faith [and] Aspiration upholding [the] name as [the] sūtra’s main principles.

其四种净土之相,详在《妙宗钞》及《梵网玄义》,兹不具述,

[As the] forms of those four kinds [of] Pure Lands, [are] detailed in [the] ‘Wonderful Principles’ [Transcript]’《妙宗钞》and [the] ‘Brahma Net [Sūtra’s] Profound Meanings’《梵网经玄义》, [they are] here not completely elaborated.

俟后释依正文中,当略示耳。

Awaiting [for] later, [in the] explanation [of the] Circumstantial [and] Direct [Rewards’] main text within, [they] will [be] briefly shown only.

– 净土宗九祖澫益大师
《佛说阿弥陀经要解》

– Pure Land Tradition’s 9th Patriarch Great Master Ǒuyì
(Essential Explanation [Of The] Sūtra [In Which The] Buddha Speaks [Of] Amitā[bha] Buddha)

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an

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Next Section: Amitābha Sūtra’s Power & Function
第四重玄义
The Fourth Layer Of Profound Meaning
四不退
Four Non-Retrogressions
https://purelanders.com/2019/10/12/amitabha-sutras-function-use-the-fourth-layer-of-profound-meaning-four-non-retrogressions

《佛说阿弥陀经要解》全英译
Complete English Translation Of ‘The Essential Explanation On The Amitābha Sūtra As Spoken By The Buddha’
https://purelanders.com/yaojie

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