[206] Fixed Methods For Entering The Path 入道之定法 Purelanders

入道之定法
[206] Fixed Methods For Entering [The] Path

入道多门，唯人志趣，了无一定之法。

[To] enter [the] path [to Buddhahood, there are] many doors, only [with the] person’s inclination [and] interest, [is it] completely without [a] fixed method.

其一定者，曰诚，曰恭敬。

Those fixed, [are] called sincerity [and] called respectful reverence.

此二事虽尽未来际诸佛出世，皆不能易也。

[Of] these two matters, [even] though exhausting [the] future’s limit, all Buddhas [who] arise [in the] world, [are] all not able [to] change [them] too.

而吾人以博地凡夫，欲顿消业累，速证无生，不致力于此，譬如木无根而欲茂，鸟无翼而欲飞，其可得乎？

Yet we, as [spiritually] barren ground’s ordinary beings, desiring [to] suddenly eliminate [all] karmic burdens, [to] quickly realise non-birth, [if] not devoting efforts on these, for example, [are like] trees without roots, yet desiring [to be] lush, [and] birds without wings, yet desiring [to] fly, how [can] these [be] attained?

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）：致弘一大师书一；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): First Letter To Great Master Hóngyī;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百零六则）：五、勉居心诚敬（第一则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (206th Short Section): 5th [Chapter]: Encouragement [Of The] Mind [To] Dwell [In] Sincerity [And] Reverence (1st Short Section)
[Ref: #206 / 5.1]

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an