问：决志求验，正在平时，经胡止言临终佛现？
Question: [If for] determination [and] aspiration seeking proof, [it is] exactly [when] in ordinary times, why [did the Amitā(bha)] Sūtra《阿弥陀经》stop [at] speaking [of] approaching [life’s] end, [then with the] Buddha appearing?
答：行人见佛，随净业浅深。经明往生，故言接引耳。
Answer: Practitioners seeing [of the] Buddha, [are] according [with their] pure karma [being] shallow [or] deep. [As the] sūtra explains [about] rebirth, thus [does it] speak [of when] receiving [and] guiding [to Pure Land] only.
[Note 1: Pure karma refers to Pure Land practice, especially the Main Practice (正行) of upholding Āmítuófó’s name (阿弥陀佛) with profound Faith (深信) and sincere Aspiration (切愿).]
今只在执持名号处努力加鞭，无论见与未见，但得信愿行成就，往生自可无疑，慎勿生侥幸退息心也。
Now only in [the] aspect [of] firmly upholding [Āmítuófó’s] name striving hard, ‘increasing lashes’, regardless [of] seeing and yet seeing [the Buddha], only attain accomplishment [of] Faith, Aspiration [and] Practice, [and] rebirth [in Pure Land] naturally can [be] without doubt. Be careful not [to] give rise [to the thought of being] ‘lucky’, [to] retrogress [from the] tranquil mind.
[Note 2: To definitely reach Pure Land, practitioners should only focus on wholehearted (i.e. sincere) and diligent Practice (行) upholding Āmítuófó’s name with Faith (信) and Aspiration (愿), without bothering about experiencing any auspicious signs (瑞相), such as seeing the Buddha. (To not believe this is to still lack Faith.) Such craving will distract the mind from being tranquil. Not being wholehearted, this makes it even less likely to experience any auspicious sign. Only wholehearted practice leads to experience of genuine auspicious signs naturally, sooner or later. Even if some auspicious sign was once or occasionally experienced in everyday life, there should not be thinking that one will definitely reach Pure Land, to thus become complacent. True practitioners do not become lax in their practice, as they know that they have yet to reach Pure Land, thus needing to have continual practice, for possibly attaining higher grades of birth too.]
净土宗九祖蕅益大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 9th Patriarch Great Master Ǒuyì
《灵峰宗论》卷第三之一：答问一 /
Spirit Peak Tradition’s Treatise: First [Part] Of Scroll Three: First Answers [For] Questions /
《蕅益大师净土集》第九：答问：答卓左车《弥陀疏钞》三十二问【第十八】
Great Master Ǒuyì’s Pure Land Collection: 9th [Section]: Answers [For] Questions: Answers [For] Zhuō Zuǒchē’s Thirty-Two Questions [On The] Commentary [On The Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of A]mitā[bha Buddha] [#18]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
至心念佛如何灭除如此多罪而得不退？
[15] How Does Sincere Mindfulness Of Buddha Eradicate So Many Transgressions And Attain Non-Retrogression?
一念猛利过百年悠悠
One Thought Powerful Surpasses Hundred Years’ Leisureliness
https://purelanders.com/2021/09/15/how-does-sincere-mindfulness-of-buddha-eradicate-so-many-transgressions-and-attain-non-retrogression/
如何预知时至？
[19] How To Know In Advance The Time Of Arrival In Pure Land?
不贵预知者，令心不颠倒
Those Not Valuing Advance Knowing Enable Their Minds To Not Be Inverted
https://purelanders.com/2021/09/19-how-to-know-in-advance-the-time-of-arrival-in-pure-land
《大经》与《观经》之十念有分别吗？
[20] Are There Differences Between The Ten Thoughts In The Greater Sūtra And The Contemplation Sūtra?
志心信乐，何等深切！
With The Sincere Mind Of Joyful Faith, How Profound And Clear!
https://purelanders.com/2021/09/22/are-there-differences-between-the-ten-thoughts-in-the-greater-sutra-and-the-contemplation-sutra/
为何也说来世生净土？
[23] Why Speak Of Rebirth In Pure Land In A Future Life Too?
真念佛决无不生净土者
Those With True Mindfulness Of Buddha Are Definitely Without Those Not Born In Pure Land
https://purelanders.com/2021/09/21/why-speak-of-rebirth-in-pure-land-in-a-future-life-too/
如何把定业转成无定业？
[26] How To Transform Definite Negative Karma To Be Not Definite?
千年暗室一灯能破
A Thousand Years’ Darkened Room With One Lamp Is Able To Be Destroyed
https://purelanders.com/2021/09/21/how-to-transform-definite-negative-karma-to-be-not-definite/
