净土法门，极难极易
[189] [The] Pure Land Dharma Door [Is] Utmost Difficult [And] Utmost Easy
净土法门，乃极难极易之法门。说其难，则大彻大悟，深入经藏者，尚不信。说其易，则愚夫愚妇，至诚恳切念，即能临终现诸瑞相，往生西方。
[The] Pure Land Dharma Door, [is] thus [the] utmost difficult [and] utmost easy of Dharma Doors. Speaking [of] it [being] difficult, thus [are some of] those [with] ‘great’ penetration [and] ‘great’ awakening, [who have] ‘deeply’ entered [the] sūtra treasury, still not [able to have] Faith [in it]. Speaking [of] it [being] easy, thus [are] foolish men [and] foolish women, [who are] earnest [and with] utmost sincerity mindful, then able to, [when] approaching [life’s] end, appear [with] many auspicious signs, [to be] reborn [in the] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (极乐世界)].
[Note 1: As the practice of mindfulness of Buddha with Faith and Aspiration (信愿念佛) is easy but with tremendous benefits, it is difficult to believe in, especially by those who assume they are ‘well’ learned, who have however yet to truly learn (and practise) the Dharma Door Of Mindfulness Of Buddha (念佛法门). The ‘learned’ are thus not necessarily so learned, just as the ‘foolish’ are not necessarily so foolish after all.]
[Note 2: For a list of common auspicious signs (瑞相), see https://purelanders.com/2020/01/18/how-to-know-if-the-deceased-has-reached-pure-land-how-to-seek-advice-for-difficult-decisions.]
彼大彻大悟，深通经论者，犹不能望其肩背。良以一则弃佛力，以专主自力。
Those [with] ‘great’ penetration [and] ‘great’ awakening, [who] ‘deeply’ penetrated sūtras [and] commentaries, [are] still not able [to] gaze [at] its shoulders [and] back. [This is] really because, [on the] one hand, abandoning [the] Buddha’s power, with focus mainly [on] Self-power.
[Note 3: Those only relying on their limited Self-power (自力), who pride themselves to be with ‘great’ learning, have thus yet to sincerely connect to the Buddha’s immeasurable Other-power (他力), to truly understand the greatness of the Dharma Door Of Mindfulness Of Buddha.]
一则专仗佛力，而由佛力以引发自力。以佛力、法力、自心本具之力，三法契合，故得超凡入圣，了生脱死也。
[On the other] one hand, [if] focusing [on] relying [on the] Buddha’s power, then due [to the] Buddha’s power, with [it] initiating Self-power. With [the] Buddha’s power, Dharma’s power, [and] one’s mind’s originally complete power, [these] three Dharma [aspects] agreeing with one another, thus attaining transcending [of the] ordinary [to] enter [the] noble, [to be] liberated [from the cycle of] birth [and] death.
[Note 4: To rely on the Buddha’s (Other-)power, there is some Self-power needed first, to give rise to the Three Provisions (三资粮): https://purelanders.com/2018/02/08/the-three-provisions, so as to connect to the Buddha’s Other-power, which will boost Self-power. With Other-power and Self-power together, they will function through Dharma’s power that connects both.]
此法最要在信愿。有信愿，则决定肯认真修持。肯修持，则即可得往生之益。
[For] this Dharma [Door, what] most essential are Faith [and] Aspiration. Having Faith [and] Aspiration, then definitely [will there be] willingness [to be] earnest [in] Practice. [With] willingness [to have] Practice, then immediately can [there be] attainment [of the] benefits of rebirth [in the Pure Land].
[Note 5: With truly profound Faith (深信), there will be truly sincere Aspiration (切愿), to have true Practice (实行) of mindfulness of Buddha.]
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）：复习怀辛书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Second Compilation): Reply Letter [To] Xí Huáixīn;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百八十九则）：四、论生死事大：乙、教专仗佛力（第五则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (189th Short Section): 4th [Chapter]: Discussion [On] Births’ [And] Deaths’ Great Matter: Second, Teachings [On] Focusing [On] Relying [On The] Buddha’s Power (5th Short Section)
[Ref: #189 / 4.2.5]
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
