[147] First Understand Mindfulness Of Buddha’s Door, Later Study Other Sūtras And Commentaries 先明念佛门，后研余经论

先明念佛门，后研余经论
[147] First Understand Mindfulness [Of] Buddha’s Door, Later Study Other Sūtras [And] Commentaries

信愿念佛，求生西方，是为万修万人去之最直捷稳当法门。

[With] Faith [and] Aspiration mindful [of the] Buddha[‘s name (i.e. Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛) for] seeking birth [in his] West[ern Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)], this is [with] ten thousand cultivating, [with] ten thousand persons going [there], its most direct [and] reliable Dharma Door.

[Note 1: If practising with the Three Provisions (三资粮) of Faith, Aspiration and Practice (信愿行) (of mindfulness of the Buddha), all will be able to reach his Pure Land. For detailed definitions of these provisions, see https://purelanders.com/2018/02/08/the-three-provisions.]

必须先要将此法门之所以然，了然于心。

[There] must first be with this Dharma Door’s reasoning [and] principles, understood clearly in [the] mind.

[Note 2: There should be this priority as this life is short and unpredictable, able to end at any time. Thus, there should first be mastery of the theory and practice of the Pure Land teachings, for securing the safest and best rebirth, for the swiftest progress towards Buddhahood.]

若有余力，再去研参一切经论。各种法门，均可为此法门之助。

If having extra energy, [there]after go [to] study [and] investigate all [other] sūtras [and] commentaries. [With] each kind [of] Dharma Door, all can [be] for supporting this Dharma Door [Of Mindfulness Of Buddha].

[Note 3: If there is spare time and interest, then can there be learning of other teachings. However, they should be learnt as Supportive Practices (助行) for supporting the Main Practice (正行) of mindfulness of Buddha. In other words, this should be secondary, so as to not be distracted from the primary goal of reaching Pure Land.]

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》（续编）：致罗世芳书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Second Compilation): Letter To Luō Shìfāng;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百四十七则）：三、示修持方法：戊、评修持各法（第十则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (147th Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Fifth, Reviews [On] Practices’ Each Method (10th Short Section)
[Ref: #147 / 3.5.10]

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an