常如面对佛
[322] Constantly [Be] Like Facing [The] Buddhas
《法苑珠林》（一百卷，常州天宁寺订作三十本），详谈因果，理事并进。
[The] Dharma Garden’s Grove [Of] Pearls ([with a] hundred scrolls, [by] Chángzhōu’s Tiānníng Monastery bound as thirty books), detailedly discuss [on] cause [and] effect, [with] principles [and] practices advancing together.
[Note 1: In other words, there are many accounts of the workings of the law of karma, and on the essential combination of learning the Dharma with putting it into practice.]
事迹报应，历历分明，阅之令人不寒而栗。
[With] past deeds’ retribution responding, clearly [and] distinctly understanding, reading it enables people [to] not [be] cold yet trembling [with fear].
[Note 2: With understanding of the relentless workings of karma arises deep faith in its infallibility (深信因果), thus with fear or dread of doing evil, which will reap retribution. This creates healthy deterrence and moral shame.]
纵在暗室屋漏，常如面对佛天，不敢稍萌恶念。
Even if in [a] dark room [in a] house hidden, constantly [be] like facing [the] Buddhas [and] heavenly [beings], not daring [to] slightly sprout [an] evil thought.
[Note 3: This way of thinking is to remind us to be more mindful of avoiding evil, with it always starting in the mind, whether it further expresses as words and deeds or not. Even if there is no one watching, the law of karma ‘registers’ all thoughts, words and deeds naturally. However, the Buddhas (and some watchful gods) do indeed know every single thought we have, what more our words and deeds.]
上中下根，皆蒙利益。
[Those of] high, medium [and] low roots, [will] all receive benefits.
[Note 4: With more vigilance of our body, speech and mind, those of all roots will more swiftly progress towards moral perfection, which is an essential aspect of Buddhahood.]
断不至错认路头，执理废事，归于偏邪狂妄之弊。
[There] absolutely [must] not [be] until wrongly recognising [a] path, [with] attachment [to] principles [and] abandonment [of] practices, [then] belonging to [those] partial [to the] demonic, [with] evil of [the] arrogant.
[Note 5: Only with adequate knowledge of karma and watchfulness of our conduct will we never veer off the right path, by being distracted by a wrong path. Some who have gone offtrack might still seem ‘principled’ but might have relinquished practice, which is still in conduct wrong, thus creating evil karma bound for retribution.]
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《印光法师文钞》（正编）：复邓伯诚书一；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): First Reply Letter [To] Dèng Bóchéng;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第三百二十二则）：十、标应读典籍（第七则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (322nd Short Section): 10th [Chapter]: Indication [Of] Canonical Texts [That] Should [Be] Studied (7th Short Section)
[Ref: #322 / 10.7]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关典籍
Related Text:
《印光大师文钞菁华录》
Record Of Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence
https://purelanders.com/jinghualu
相关教理
Related Teachings:
孝女复活引导母亲生西记
[20] Record Of A Filial Daughter’s Resurrection To Guide Her Mother To Pure Land
https://purelanders.com/2020/07/07/record-of-a-filial-daughters-resurrection-to-guide-her-mother-to-pure-land
大师选净弃天记
[21] How A Great Master Chose Pure Land Over Heaven
https://purelanders.com/2020/07/07/how-a-great-master-chose-pure-land-over-heaven
