一切事理，由字主持
[232] All Practices [And] Principles, Depend [On] Words [As Their] Main Upholder
人生世间，所资以成德达才，建功立业，以及一才一艺养活身家者，皆由文字主持之力，而得成就。
[Of] human life [in this] world, that resource, with [it able to] accomplish virtues [and] attain talents, build contributions [and] establish achievements, as well as [for] those [to have] one talent [and] one skill [for] supporting themselves [and their] families, [are] all due [to the] power of words [as their] main upholder, [to] then attain [these] accomplishments.
[Note 1: Words are the key means for holding and sharing worldly and spiritual virtues and skills for attaining them. Words are the means for conveying timeless thoughts and even past deeds (which serve as good timeless examples), that can no longer be seen in the present.]
字为世间至宝，能使凡者圣，愚者智，贫贱者富贵，疾病者康宁。
Words [are] as [the] world’s utmost treasures, able [to] enable those ordinary [to be] noble, those foolish [to be] wise, those poor [and] lowly [to be] wealthy [and] honoured, [and] those sick [to be] healthy [and] peaceful.
[Note 2: Words are utmost treasures as they can convey teachings (i.e. advice) for becoming noble, wise, wealthy, honoured, healthy and peaceful. These qualities can be skilfully synergised for supporting attainment of the utmost treasure – Buddhahood (佛果).]
圣贤道脉，得之于千古。身家经营，遗之于子孙，莫不仗字之力。
[Of] noble [and] virtuous [ones’] paths’ lineages, [for] attaining them in [a] thousand ages, [and of] family wealth, that [is] bequeathed to children [and] grandchildren, none [do] not rely [on the] power of words.
[Note 3: All sages’ spiritual teachings, including those of the Buddha in his sūtras (经), and those of the Patriarchs (祖师) in their treatises (论) are passed down with words. Even worldly matters such as family fortunes are passed down with words in terms of verbal instructions and written wills.]
使世无字，则一切事理，皆不成立，而人与禽兽无异矣。既有如是功力，固宜珍重爱惜。
If [the] world [is] without words, then [will] all practices [and] principles, all not [be] established. And people, with birds [and] beasts, [will be] without differences. Since having such merits [and] power, [we] certainly should treasure [and] cherish [them].
[Note 4: All Buddhist practices and principles are recorded and handed down using words, be they verbal or written, in various media, as publications (e.g. books and magazines), websites, carvings, audio/video recordings and such. Although animals have their languages, they do not have means to record for handing down their ‘teachings’.]
窃见今人任意亵污，是直以至宝等粪土耳。能不现生折福折寿，来生无知无识乎哉？
I see today’s people at will dirtying [and] defiling [them, which] is simply with [these] utmost treasures equated [to] dung [and] dirt only. [How are they] able [to] not [in this] present life break [their] blessings [and] shorten [their] lifespans, [to be in] future lives ignorant and without knowledge?
[Note 5: What we do not treasure now, and even desecrate, is what we will surely karmically lose later. Since that lost was the means for learning, increasing blessings, lifespans and knowledge, these qualities will be dissipated too.]
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）：挽回劫运论；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Treatise [On] Redemption [From] Disasters’ Misfortunes;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百三十二则）：五、勉居心诚敬（第十则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (232nd Short Section): 5th [Chapter]: Encouragement [Of The] Mind [To] Dwell [In] Sincerity [And] Reverence (10th Short Section)
[Ref: #232 / 5.10]
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
