专精念佛，今生解脱
[190] [With] Focused Diligence Mindful [Of] Buddha, [In] This Life [Be] Liberated
佛祖出世，悉皆法随机立。
[When the] Buddhas [and] Patriarchs arose [in the] world, [they were] all [with] Dharma [Doors], according [to different persons’ spiritual] capacities established.
[Note 1: In ancient days, as it was still the Right Dharma Age (正法时期) or Dharma Resemblance Age (像法时期), Dharma Doors (法门) were established for all of the three roots (三根) – the high, medium and low (上中下). Being the Pure Land Patriarchs (净土祖师), these Patriarchs all focused on learning, practising and propagating the Pure Land teachings.]
末世钝根，当择其契理而又契机者，专精致力。
[In this Dharma-]Ending Age [with our] dull roots, [there] should [be] choosing [of] that [Dharma Door Of Mindfulness Of Buddha (念佛法门)], agreeing [with] principles and also agreeing [with our] capacity, [with] focused diligence devoting efforts.
[Note 2: In these days, as we advance deeper into this Dharma-Ending Age (末法时期), with most, if not all of us being of low roots (i.e. dull roots), only the Dharma Door Of Mindfulness Of Buddha is suitable for our fruitful practice.]
[Note 3: Even if there are those who assume they are of high roots (i.e. sharp roots: 利根) or medium (i.e. average) roots, practising this Dharma Door will most swiftly expedite their progress towards Buddhahood, as it is with all three roots universally covered (三根普被), with the sharp and dull completely gathered (利钝全收).]
庶可仗佛慈力，横超三界。于此一生，即了百千万劫不易了之生死大事。
Hopefully, [there] can [be] relying [on the] Buddha’s loving-kindness’ power, [to] horizontally transcend [the] three realms. In this one life, immediately resolving [a] thousand million kalpas’ not easily resolved great matter [of rebirth in the cycle of] birth [and] death.
[Note 4: Only with mindfulness of Buddha can there be connection to the Buddha’s Other-power (他力), to horizontally exit the three realms (横出三界), which are the desire realm (欲界), form realm (色界) and formless realm (无色界). To horizontally exit means that no matter which realm one is in, one can be liberated from all three realms directly.]
[Note 5: All other Dharma Doors are with Self-power (自力) only, which would need one to vertically exit the three realms (竖出三界). To vertically exit means that no matter which realm one is in, one can only be liberated from all three realms by spiritually advancing towards the highest plane of the highest (formless) realm, before transcending them all.]
[Note 6: While horizontal exit can be attained in this very life, to attain non-retrogression (不退转) by reaching Pure Land, vertical exit usually takes many lifetimes, as there is the possibility of repeated retrogression (退转) as one ‘advances’, thus needing to re-advance time and again.]
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）：灵岩念诵仪规序；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Second Compilation): Preface [Of] Língyán [Monastery’s] Recitation Liturgy;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百九十则）：四、论生死事大：乙、教专仗佛力（第六则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (190th Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: Second, Teachings [On] Focusing [On] Relying [On The] Buddha’s Power (6th Short Section)
[Ref: #190 / 4.2.6]
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
