念佛偈
Verses [On] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha
自性弥陀，
弥陀自性，
执性废修，
因乐成病。
[As] self-nature [is] Āmítuófó, [and] Āmítuófó [is] self-nature, [to be] attached [to the] nature [and to] abandon cultivation, because [of this] ‘joy’, [it] becomes sickness.
弥陀自性，
自性弥陀，
皇风一片，
帝网交罗。
[As] Āmítuófó [is] self-nature, [and] self-nature [is] Āmítuófó, [an] emperor [and his] appearance [is] one piece, [like] Śakra’s net’s intersections.
佛非性外，
性即佛中，
如水投水，
似空合空。
[The] Buddha [is] not [of the] nature outside, [and the] nature is the same [as the] Buddha within, like water thrown [into] water, similar [to] space joining space.
佛在性中，
性岂佛外，
本自圆融，
云何隔碍？
[As the] Buddha [is] in [the] nature within, how [can the] nature [be of the] Buddha outside? Originally [and] naturally completely interpenetrating, how [can there be] separation [and] obstruction?
极乐唯心，
心唯极乐，
离土论心，
翻然大错。
[As the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss [is] mind-only, [and the] mind [is] only [the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss, departing [from the] land [to] discuss [the] mind, [is a] sudden [and] complete great mistake.
唯心极乐，
极乐唯心，
山自高高，
水自深深。
[As the] mind-only [is the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss, [and the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss [is] mind-only, [the] mountains naturally high [are] high, [and the] waters naturally deep [are] deep.
未明唯土，
岂达唯心，
碔砆非玉，
鍮石非金？
Yet [to] understand land-only, how [to] reach mind-only, [as] inferior agate [is] not jade, [and] brass ore [is] not gold?
欲会唯心，
须明唯土，
夜半正明，
天晓不露。
Desiring [to] understand mind-only, [there] must [be] clarity [on] land-only, [with the] middle [of the] night truly bright, [and the] sky [at] dawn not revealed.
穷禅宗髓，
提教网纲，
阿弥果佛，
安乐西方。
Exhausting [the] Chán Tradition’s marrow, [and] raising [the sūtra] teachings’ net’s hawser [i.e. guiding principles], [is] Āmítuófó’s fruit [of] Buddhahood, [his Land Of] Peace [And] Bliss, [the] Western [Pure Land].
九品宝莲，
在脚跟底，
不念弥陀，
孤负自己。
[With the] nine grades [of] treasure lotuses, at [the] heels below, not [being] mindful [of] Āmítuófó, [is to] let down oneself.
信手瓣香，
至心一拜，
本分修持，
大人境界。
[With] faithful hands [offering a] fragment [of] incense, [with the] sincere mind [making] one prostration, [with my] original responsibility practising, [for reaching] great persons’ realm.
见闻随喜，
信愿持名，
功圆旷劫，
佛补一生。
[With the] seen [and] heard rejoicing, [with] Faith [and] Aspiration upholding [Āmítuófó’s] name, [with] merits completing [those from] past kalpas, [become a] Buddha [who] replaces [another in] one lifetime.
净土宗十二祖彻悟大师
《彻悟禅师文集》
Pure Land Tradition’s 12th Patriarch Great Master Chèwù
(Collection [Of] Chán Master Chèwù’s Texts)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
