大矣哉净土法门之为教也！
Great [is it, to] be [with the] teaching of [the] Pure Land Dharma Door!
「是心作佛，是心是佛」，直指人心者，当逊其奇特。
[As with it], ‘this mind becomes Buddha, [and] this mind is Buddha’, those [practising Chán (禅) to] ‘directly point [at the] human mind’, should yield [to its] outstanding [nature].
十念一念，即登不退，历劫修证者，当仰其高风。
[With] ten thoughts [to] one thought [of Buddha with profound Faith and sincere Aspiration], immediately ascending [to] non-retrogression [in Pure Land for Buddhahood], those passing kalpas [to] cultivate [for] realisation, should look up [to] its lofty character.
普被上中下根，统摄律教禅宗。如时雨之润物，若大海之纳川。
[It] universally covers [those of] high, middle [and] low roots, unifying [and] gathering [those of the] Precepts [i.e. Vinaya], Scriptural [and] Chán traditions. Like timely rain’s moisturising of [all] things, like [the] great ocean’s receiving [of] rivers.
偏圆顿渐一切法，无不从此法界流。大小权实一切行，无不还归此法界。
[Of the] partial [and] complete, sudden [and] gradual, [of] all [their] Dharma [teachings], none [do] not from this Dharma realm flow. [Of the] great [and] small, skilful [and] true, [of] all [their] practices, none [do] not return [to] this Dharma realm.
不断惑业，得预补处。即此一生，证大菩提。
[With] not [yet] severing confusions [and negative] karma, in advance attaining [the] Position [Of One Life To] Replacement [of Buddhas]. Immediately [in] this one life, realising great Bodhi [of Buddhahood].
九界众生离此法，上不能圆成佛道。十方诸佛舍此法，下不能普利群生。
[The] nine realms’ sentient beings, [if] departing [from] this Dharma [Door, are] above not able [to] completely accomplish [the] Buddha path. [The] ten directions’ all Buddhas, [if] abandoning this Dharma [Door, are] not able [to] universally benefit all sentient beings.
是以华严海众，尽遵十大愿王。
Thus, [the] Flower Adornment [Sūtra’s《华严经》] ocean[-wide] assembly, completely follow [the] Ten Great Vows’ King [with dedication for one and all to reach Pure Land].
法华一称，悉证诸法实相。
[In the Wonderful] Dharma [Lotus] Flower [Sūtra《妙法莲华经》, it is taught that with] one recitation [of ‘Námó Fó’ (南无佛): ‘Homage to and refuge in the Buddha’], all [will] realise all dharmas’ true forms.
如斯大力用，诸佛共宣扬。若此极发挥，诸祖皆如是。
[As it is] like this [with] great power [and] function, all Buddhas together propagate [it]. Like this, [to the] utmost exerting, all Patriarchs [also] all [do] thus.
诚可谓一代时教之极谈，一乘无上之大教也。
[It] truly can [be] said [to be] ultimate speaking of [the Buddha’s] one [entire] lifetime’s teachings, [the] unsurpassable great teaching of [the] One Vehicle [to Buddhahood].
不植德本，历劫难逢。幸得闻熏，勉力修习。
[If] not [having] planted virtuous roots, [even if] passing kalpas, [it is] difficult [to] encounter. [With good] fortune [having] attained hearing [of it and] permeating [with it], make efforts [to] cultivate practice.
恐彼无知狂徒，谓为浅近，故此依教赞述，令其奉行耳。
Fearing those ignorant [and] mad persons, calling [it] to be shallow [and] simple, thus [with] this, relying [on the] teaching, praising [and] narrating [it, to] enable them [to] practise [it].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
《净土问答并序》
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(Combined Preface’s Pure Land Questions [And] Answers)
Namo Amituofo : Translation and extended notes by Shen Shi’an
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