大凡修净土人，最忌是夹杂。
Generally, [for] Pure Land cultivators, [that] most dreaded is [to have] mixed [practices].
[Note 1: For Pure Land practitioners, having proper Buddhist mixed practices as Supportive Practices (助行) is alright — only if there already is adequate focused practice of mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name, as the Main Practice (正行) for reaching Pure Land.]
何谓夹杂？即是又讽经，又持咒，又做会，又好说些没要紧的禅，又要谈些吉凶祸福、见神见鬼的话，却是夹杂也。
What [is] so-called mixed? That is [to] also recite sūtras, also uphold mantras, also hold assemblies, also [being] fond [of] speaking [on] some unimportant meditation, also wanting [to] discuss [on] some auspicious [and] inauspicious [matters], disasters [and] blessings, talking [of] seeing gods [and] seeing ghosts. [This] actually is [being] mixed.
[Note 2: Other than the first three practices listed, the rest are not even proper practices.]
既夹杂，则心不专一；心不专一，则见佛往生难矣！却不空费了一生的事？
Since mixed, thus [is the] mind not focused single-minded. [With the] mind not focused single-minded, thus [is] seeing [the] Buddha [for] rebirth difficult. How can [this does] not emptily waste [efforts for this] one lifetime’s [great] matter?
[Note 3: With many mixed practices, both proper and improper, while not having adequate wholehearted focus on mindfulness of Buddha, the right cause for connecting to the Buddha will be amiss, thus missing birth in Pure Land.]
你如今一概莫做，只紧紧持一句阿弥陀佛，期生极乐。日久功成，方不错却。
You, if now, without exception not doing [the above], only closely upholding [the] one line [of] ‘Āmítuófó’, [with] hope [for] birth [in the Pure Land Of] Ultimate Bliss, [with the] days passing [by, will there be] skill accomplished, then [with Pure Land] not missed.
[Note 4: The direct solution for addressing the problem above, especially when time is already running out, is to immediately and sincerely focus only on mindfulness of Buddha.]
觉明妙行菩萨
Juémíng Miàoxíng Bodhisattva
《西方确指》
Definite Pointers [To The] West[ern Pure Land]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
