修净土者应多读《净土五经》
[163] Those Cultivating [The] Pure Land [Path] Should Study [The] Pure Land [Tradition’s] Five Sūtras More
汝喜念《金刚经》，当以此功德，回向往生，即为净土助行。
[As] you [are] joyful [with] reciting [the] Vajra [i.e. Diamond] Sūtra, [you] should with these meritorious virtues, dedicate [for] rebirth [in Pure Land], then [is it] as Pure Land’s Supportive Practice.
[Note 1: With mindfulness of Buddha as the Main Practice (正行), all other good and purifying practices are considered as Supportive Practices (助行). Being the Main Practice, the most time and efforts should be spent practising it.]
然《净土五经》，其功德亦不亚于《金刚经》。
However, [of The] Pure Land [Tradition’s] Five Sūtras, their meritorious virtues [are] also not less than [those of the] Vajra Sūtra.
[Note 2: The fact that these five sūtras have teachings that express the swiftest path to Buddhahood means they have immeasurable meritorious virtues. The Pure Land Tradition’s Five Sūtras《净土五经》can be read at https://purelanders.com/wujing.]
所寄之经书，宜详阅光所作之序，则其大义可以悉知。
Of those mailed sūtra books, [you] should completely read those prefaces written [by Yìn]guāng. Then [of] their great meanings, [they] can all [be] known.
[Note 3: The various prefaces (序) can also be read at https://purelanders.com/wujing.]
再息心恭敬读之，则无边利益，自可亲得。
Again extinguishing [distracting] thoughts [to] reverently study them, then [of their] boundless benefits, [you] can personally attain [them].
[Note 4: Studying the sūtras (读经) in detail to ensure their meanings are as completely understood as possible is a deeper practice than just reciting them (诵经), perhaps perfunctorily at times, only with cursory understanding of what they really mean. Although insight can eventually arise during recitation, deliberate learning also facilitates the rise of insights.]
编者敬按：予于民廿四年秋，由普陀上书苏州报国寺印大师，求皈依。旋奉复，取法名曰宗敬，并承赐《净土五经》及《梦东禅师遗集》等十余种。
Compiler’s [Layperson Lǐ Jìngtōng (李净通居士)] respectful note: I, in [the] Republic [Of China’s] twenty-fourth year’s autumn [i.e. in 1935], following [that to Mount] Pǔtuó [普陀山], [a] written letter [to] Sūzhōu’s Bàoguó [i.e. Repayment Of Country] Monastery’s Great Master Yìn[guāng], seeking refuge, [in] return, received [a] reply, [and] obtained [the] Dharma name Zōngjìng, also receiving [the] gifts [of The] Pure Land [Tradition’s] Five Sūtras and Mèngdōng Chán Master’s Bequeathed Collection, [with] more than ten other kinds [of books].
覆函有云：「《金刚经》发明净土之处甚少，每日虔诵一遍已够。汝于专精念佛外，可将《净土五经》，川流不息读之。」予至今遵守，不敢忘。
[The] reply letter has [this] said, ‘[As the] Vajra Sūtra’s parts that express clearly [on the] Pure Land [teachings are] extremely little, every day reverently reciting [it] one time [is] already enough [i.e. if it is already currently being recited]. You, other [than] with focused diligence [practising] mindfulness [of] Buddha, can [be] with [The] Pure Land [Tradition’s] Five Sūtras, [like a] river flowing without ending, study them.’ I, until now follow [to] observe [this], not daring [to] forget [this].
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》（三编）：复唐瑞岩书一；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Third Compilation): First Reply Letter [To] Táng Ruìyán;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百六十三则）：三、示修持方法：戊、评修持各法（第二十六则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (163rd Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Fifth, Reviews [On] Practices’ Each Method (26th Short Section)
[Ref: #163 / 3.5.26]
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
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