坯器未烧，经雨则化
[173] Unburnt Earthenware Vessels Yet [To Be] Heated, Passing [Through] Rain Then Dissolve
宿生培此慧根，固不容易。倘不于此专精致力，以期亲证。则如坯器未烧，经雨则化。
[In] past lives, [having] cultivated these wisdom roots, [this was] certainly not easy. If not [with] focused diligence devoting efforts, in order [to have] personal realisation, [you are] then like [an] unburnt earthenware vessel, yet [to be] heated, passing [through] rain then dissolving.
[Note 1: With whatever little or much good roots (善根) present, they were all not easily cultivated, as they are possible only with many past lives’ efforts too. Thus, there should be sincere and continual learning and practice (修学) to advance towards realisation, in order to become spiritually firm and strong, without retrogression (退转). The unburnt earthenware vessel represents our unrealised Buddha-nature (佛性), that is yet to be firmly realised.]
[Note 2: As it is not easy to attain realisation in this life directly, there should also be advance towards Pure Land (净土) with mindfulness of Buddha (念佛), where there will be swift and non-retrogressive (不退转) progress towards full realisation of Buddhahood.]
光阴短促，人命几何，一气不来，即属后世。
[As these] days [are] brief [and] fleeting, [in his] human life, how many [are there left? With] one breath not coming, immediately belonging [to the] afterlife.
[Note 3: With one breath not leaving (i.e. being exhaled) is death too.]
未证道人，从悟入迷者，万有十千。从悟增悟者，亿无一二。
[Of] those persons yet [to] realise [the] path, from ‘awakening’ entering confusion, [of] ten thousand, [they] are [with] ten thousand. Those from awakening increasing [in] awakening, [of one] hundred million, [they are] without one [or] two.
[Note 4: As long as there is yet to be non-retrogression, any ‘awakening’ is not substantial enough yet, while it is not easy to increase in awakening in this defiled land (秽土). As mentioned in Note 2, this is a major reason why Pure Land should be reached.]
忍令无上法器之坯，经再生之雨，而复为尘土乎哉？
[How can you] bear [to] let [your] unsurpassable Dharma vessel’s unburnt earthenware, pass [through] rebirths’ rains, [to] yet again become dust [and] earth?
[Note 5: If not practising to reach Pure Land, not only is it difficult to progress towards non-retrogression in this defiled land, it is also easy to retrogress here, in this life, and life after life, possibly returning to ‘square one’ on the path to Buddhahood, or even veering off this path.]
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）：复张云雷书一；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): First Reply Letter [To] Zhāng Yúnléi;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百七十三则）：三、示修持方法：己、勉行人努力（第四则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (173rd Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Sixth, Encouragement Of Practitioners To Strive Diligently (4th Short Section)
[Ref: #173 / 3.6.4]
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
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