心地好者,又恭敬念,必得感应
Those [With] Mind Grounds Good, [Who] Also Reverent Recite, Will Attain Connection [For] Response
凡修行人,必要心地好。心地好,再加以恭敬至诚,断无不灵者。心地不好,又不恭敬,既无有感,何能得应?此事理所必然者,祈慧察是幸。
[Of] all practitioners, [it is] essential [to have] mind grounds [that are] good. [With] mind grounds good, again added with reverence [and] utmost sincerity, [this is] absolutely without those not [with] efficacy. [With] mind grounds not good, also not reverent, since without having connection, how [is this] able [to] attain response? [As] this matter’s reason [is] that certain, imploring [you to] wisely examine [this, with this] is [it] fortunate.
(若常念,不必并「大慈大悲救苦救难」念,但念「南无观世音菩萨」即已。
(If constantly reciting, [there is] no need [to] also [have ‘the one with] great loving-kindness [and] great compassion, saving [from] suffering [and] saving [from] difficulties’ recited, only reciting ‘Námó Guānshìyīn Púsà’ [i.e. Homage to and refuge for life in Contemplator Of The World’s Sounds Bodhisattva] immediately.
[Note 1: The lengthier recitation would be ‘Homage to and refuge for life in the one with great loving-kindness and great compassion, saving from suffering and saving from difficulties, Contemplator Of The World’s Sounds Bodhisattva’ (南无大慈大悲救苦救难观世音菩萨).]
凡怨业病,医不能治者,及犯鬼犯狐,念之即可解消遣散。凡刀兵水火恶兽恶人等危险,若至诚念之,即有大转折。
All hateful karmic sicknesses, that doctors [are] not able [to] cure, and [those] attacked [by] ghosts [and] attacked [by] fox [spirits], reciting this, [these] can immediately [be] liberated [from], dissolved [and] scattered. All [those facing] weapons [and] wars, waters [and] fires, evil beasts, evil persons [and] other dangers, if [with] utmost sincerity reciting this, [they will] immediately have great turning points.
若心不至诚,兼有疑惑不信之心,及心存恶念,欲成就恶事者,则无效验。
If [the] mind [is] not [with] utmost sincerity, simultaneously having [the] mind of doubt [and] confusion, not believing, and [with the] mind retaining evil thoughts, desiring [to] accomplish those evil matters, thus [is this] without [the] desired effect.
汝果能真实如是行,如是化导,则汝乡便可家家观世音,人人弥陀佛,为佛乡矣。)
If you [are] able [to] truly thus practise, thus transform [and] guide, thus [will] your village then [be with] every household [reciting] Guānshìyīn [Púsà], every one [reciting Ā]mítuó[fó], for [reaching the] Buddha’s home.)
[Note 2: The above teachings, with the benefits of recitation equally apply to mindfulness of Āmítuófó’s name (阿弥陀佛) too, while having the advantage of it being briefer.]
净土宗十三祖印光大师
《复卓智立居士书四》
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
(Fourth Reply Letter [To] Layperson Zhuō Zhìlì)
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
