净土起信九
Ninth [Essay For] Arising [Of] Faith [In] Pure Land
念佛者如何生莲华？佛如何护迎诸念佛者？
[9] How [Do] Those Mindful [Of The] Buddha Grow Lotus Flowers? How [Does The] Buddha Protect [And] Receive All Those Mindful [Of The] Buddha?
[i] 在此念佛时，西方宝池如何生莲？
When Mindful [Of] Buddha Here, How [Does The] Western [Pure Land] Grow Lotuses?
或者疑之云：「人此间念佛，西方七宝池中如何便生莲华一朵？」
[There are] perhaps those [with] doubt then saying, ‘[When a] person [in] this place [is] mindful [of the] Buddha, [in the] Western [Pure Land’s] seven treasures’ ponds within, how [do they] then grow a lotus flower?’
予告云：「此不难知也。譬如大明镜，凡有物来，便现其影，镜何尝容心哉？以其明而自然耳。阿弥陀佛国中清净明洁，自然照见十方世界，犹如明镜睹其面像。是故此间念佛，西方七宝池自然生莲华一朵，无足疑也。」
I tell [them], saying, ‘This [is] not difficult [to] know. For example, [like a] big bright mirror, [when] having all objects coming, then appearing [with] their reflections, [the] mirror never has [them in] mind. [This is] with its brightness then naturally [so] only. Amitā[bha] Buddha’s land within [is] pure, bright [and] clean, naturally illuminating [with] sight [of the] ten directions’ worlds, similar to [those in] bright mirrors seeing their faces’ reflections. Therefore, [when a person in] this place [is] mindful [of the] Buddha, [then in the] Western [Pure Land’s] seven treasures’ ponds naturally growing a lotus flower, [this is] not worthy [of] doubt.’
[ii] 阿弥陀佛如何常护诸念佛者？
How [Does] Amitā[bha] Buddha Constantly Protect All Those Mindful [Of The] Buddha?
或者又疑之云：「念往生真言者，阿弥陀佛常住其顶，卫护其人。若无量世界有无量众生念此真言，阿弥陀佛岂能一一遍住其顶乎？」
[There are] perhaps those also [with] doubt then saying, ‘[For] those mindful [of the] Rebirth Mantra《往生咒》[or the Buddha’s name], Amitā[bha] Buddha constantly abides [above] their crowns, [to] guard [and] protect these people. If immeasurable worlds have immeasurable sentient beings mindful [of] this mantra, how can Amitā[bha] Buddha [be] able [to, for] each [and every] one everywhere abide [above] their crowns?’
曰：「亦自然耳。譬如天上一月，普现一切水中，岂不自然哉？」
[I] say, ‘Likewise [is this] natural only. For example, like [the] sky above [having] one moon, [that] universally appears [in] all waters within, how can [this] not [be] natural?’
[iii] 阿弥陀佛如何来迎诸念佛者？
How [Does] Amitā[bha] Buddha Come [To] Receive All Those Mindful [Of The] Buddha?
或者又疑之云：「有修行精进，临终之时，佛与菩萨来迎。且如十方世界有无量众生精进，乌能皆知其期而往迎乎？」
[There are] perhaps those also [with] doubt then saying, ‘[Those with] cultivating [of] practice diligent, when approaching [life’s] end, [the] Buddha and Bodhisattvas [will] come [to] receive [them]. If [the] ten directions’ worlds have immeasurable sentient beings [who are] diligent, how [are they] able [to] know all their dates [of departure, to] then go [to] receive [them]?’
曰：「亦自然耳。譬如天上一日，普照无量境界，岂不自然哉？况佛之威神不止如日月乎。则遍住其顶，遍知其期，何足疑哉？」
[I] say, ‘Likewise [is this] natural only. For example, like [the] sky above [having] one sun, [that] universally illuminates immeasurable regions, how can [this] not [be] natural? Moreover, of [the] Buddha’s majestic power, [it is] not only like [the] sun [and] moon. Thus everywhere abiding [above] their crowns, [of] all knowing their dates [of departure], what [is there] worthy [of] doubt?’
宋‧王日休
《龙舒净土文》
第一卷：净土起信九篇
Sòng [Dynasty’s] Wáng Rìxiū
Lóngshū’s Pure Land Text:
First Scroll: Nine Essays [On] Arising [Of] Faith [In] Pure Land
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
上篇
Previous Essay:
天网恢恢，疏而不漏
[8] Heaven’s Net Is Vast And Extensive, Slack Yet Without Escape
https://purelanders.com/2021/09/30/8-heavens-net-is-vast-and-extensive-slack-yet-without-escape/
下篇
Next Essay:
备说
[10] Speaking Of Preparation
https://purelanders.com/2021/09/29/speaking-of-preparation/
九篇
Nine Essays:
《龙舒净土文》
第一卷：净土起信九篇（等）
Lóngshū’s Pure Land Text:
[1] First Scroll: Nine Essays On Arising Of Faith In Pure Land, etc.
https://purelanders.com/longshu1
