念弥陀观音者，皆能免难往生
[91] Those Mindful [Of] Āmítuófó [And] Guānshìyīn Púsà [Are] All Able [To] Avoid Difficulties [And Attain] Rebirth
念佛、念观音，均能消灾免难。
Mindfulness [of Amitā(bha)] Buddha[‘s name (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛) and] mindfulness [of] Contemplator [Of The World’s] Sounds [Bodhisattva’s name] (Guānshìyīn Púsà: 观世音菩萨), [are] equally able [to] eliminate disasters [and] avoid difficulties.
[Note 1: With mindfulness of the Buddha and Bodhisattva, the blessings from their meritorious virtues will be connected to, for diluting our evil karma that create suffering. Sincere mindfulness of the Bodhisattva’s name has the same principles and effects as those of mindfulness of the Buddha, especially as the Bodhisattva is manifested from the ancient Buddha (古佛) named Brightness Of Right Dharma Thus Come One (正法明如来).]
平时宜多念佛，少念观音。遇患难，宜专念观音。
[In] ordinary times, [there] should [be] more mindfulness [of the] Buddha, [and] less mindfulness [of] Contemplator [Of] Sounds [Bodhisattva. When] meeting suffering [and] difficulties, [there] should [be] focused mindfulness [of] Contemplator [Of] Sounds [Bodhisattva].
[Note 2: Although Amitābha Buddha is more commonly known for offering blessings during one’s last days, to be received and guided for rebirth in his Pure Land (净土), as these last days are always approaching, possibly faster than expected, it is thus important to become used to mindfulness of his name, as soon as possible, and as much as possible.
Much Main Practice (正行) of mindfulness of his name also expresses and increases the provisions of profound Faith (深信) and sincere Aspiration (切愿) for rebirth in his Pure Land. Generally, mindfulness of the Buddha is associated more with wanting to depart well.]
[Note 3: This is while Contemplator Of The World’s Sounds Bodhisattva is more commonly known for alleviating suffering when facing everyday emergencies for survival. Generally, mindfulness of the Bodhisattva is associated more with wanting to live on well.]
[Note 4: There is however conventional and illusory dichotomy, as the Buddha also alleviates suffering, just as the Bodhisattva also receives and guides beings (with the same Faith and Aspiration) to the same Pure Land.]
[Note 5: That said, Āmítuófó’s name, being shorter, is easier for mindfulness when dying, although those who feel closer to the Bodhisattva can also choose to focus on mindfulness of her name then. Support-chanting (助念) using her name is however not very common, for the practical reason mentioned.]
以观音悲心甚切，与此方众生宿缘深故。不可见作此说，便谓佛之慈悲，不及观音，须知观音乃代佛垂慈救苦者。
With Contemplator [Of] Sounds [Bodhisattva’s] compassionate mind extremely sincere, [she is] with this direction’s sentient beings’ past affinity deep thus. [There] must not [be] seeing writing [of] this said, then saying [the] loving-kindness [and] compassion of [the] Buddha, [is] not as good as [that of] Contemplator [Of] Sounds [Bodhisattva. There] must [be] knowing [that] Contemplator [Of] Sounds thus represents [the] Buddha’s extended loving-kindness [to] save those suffering.
[Note 6: Both being ancient Buddhas, they have equally perfect compassion. Āmítuófó also has strong affinity with beings in our world. In fact, according to his vow that his name will be propagated and praised by all Buddhas to the beings of their worlds, he is the overall most well known Buddha in the universe. This vow expresses his all-encompassing loving-kindness and compassion, to connect all to his blessings and Pure Land. Being the Buddha’s chief assistant Bodhisattva, Contemplator Of The World’s Sounds Bodhisattva’s good works are thus an extension of his too.]
即释迦佛在世时，亦尝令苦难众生念观音，况吾辈凡夫乎？
Even when Śākyamuni Buddha [was] in [the] world, [he] already enabled suffering sentient beings [to be] mindful [of] Contemplator [Of] Sounds [Bodhisattva], what more us ordinary beings?
[Note 7: To be noted is that beings with utmost suffering are usually those dying, who should find it easier to be mindful of the Buddha then.]
[Note 8: Probably because we are already dichotomous in nature, the Buddhas and those re-manifesting as Bodhisattvas, despite being equally perfect in all possible virtues, skilfully appear to as if ‘specialise’ in certain qualities, by personally expressing them more, so as to help us focus, for connecting to them, and for developing the same qualities. Understanding this, we should not, with our unenlightened minds, while wisely discriminating when needed, overly discriminate the enlightened.]
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）：复宁德晋书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Third Compilation): Reply Letter [To] Níng Déjìn;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第九十一则）：三、示修持方法：乙、劝兼念观音（第十则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (91st Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Second, Encouragement [To] Also [Be] Mindful [Of] Guānyīn (10th Short Section)
[Ref: #91 / 3.2.10]
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
