若舍念佛，绝无希望
[10] If Abandoning Mindfulness [Of] Buddha, [We Are] Absolutely Without Hope
如来圣教，法门无量，随依一法，以菩提心修持，皆可以了生死，成佛道。然于修而未证之前，大有难易、疾迟之别。
[The] Thus Come [One’s] noble teachings, [are with] Dharma doors immeasurable. Accordingly relying [on] one Dharma [door], with [the] Bodhi Mind practising, all can [be] liberated [from the cycle of] birth [and] death, [to] accomplish [the] Buddha path. However, for [those] cultivating, and yet [to have] realisation before, [there] are great differences of difficulty [and] easiness, swiftness [and] slowness.
[Note 1: The Bodhi Mind (菩提心) is Bodhicitta, the aspiration to guide one and all to Buddhahood (佛果).]
求其至圆至顿，最简最易，契理契机，即修即性，三根普被，利钝全收，为律教禅密诸宗之归宿，作人天凡圣证真之捷径者，无如信愿念佛求生西方一法也。
[For] seeking that utmost complete [and] utmost sudden [awakening, the] most simple [and] most easy [method, that] accords [with] principles [and] accords [with spiritual] capacities, immediately [with that] cultivated immediately [as our] nature, [with the] three roots universally covered, [the] sharp [and] dull completely gathered, as [the] home [to] return [to], of [the] Vinaya, Teachings, Chán [and] Esoteric, all [these] traditions, as [the] shortcut of human [and] heavenly [beings], ordinary [and] noble [beings, to] realise [the] truth, none [are] like [with] Faith [and] Aspiration mindful [of the] Buddha[‘s name (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛) to] seek birth [in his] Western [Pure Land, this] one Dharma [door].
[Note 2: That immediately cultivated is mindfulness of Buddha (念佛), which immediately corresponds with our Buddha-nature (佛性), our potential to become Buddhas. The three roots (三根) are low roots (下根), medium roots (中根) and high roots (上根), with low roots also called dull roots (钝根), and high roots also called sharp roots (利根). Those with medium roots are with average dullness and average sharpness.]
[Note 3: The key Five Traditions (五宗) are the Vinaya, Teachings, Chán, Esoteric and Pure Land (律教禅密净) traditions. Briefly, the (i) Vinaya Tradition (律宗) focuses on strict upholding of the precepts (持戒), to purify the three karmas (三业) of body, speech and mind. The (ii) Teachings Tradition (教宗) focuses on studying the sūtras’ teachings (经教), to rely on their teachings to cultivate contemplation (依教修观). The (iii) Chán Tradition (禅宗) focuses on Self-powered (自力) meditation (禅修) to see one’s nature (见性). The (iv) Esoteric Tradition (密宗) focuses on forming of mudrās (结印), upholding of mantras (持咒) and visualisations (观想), to empower the three samayas (mysteries) (三密加持) of body, speech and mind. The (v) Pure Land Tradition (净土宗) focuses on the Practice (行) of mindfulness of Buddha (念佛), with profound Faith (深信) and sincere Aspiration (切愿), for reaching his Pure Land, to most swiftly expedite progress to Buddhahood for one and all.]
良以一切法门，皆仗自力，念佛法门，兼仗佛力。仗自力，非烦惑断尽，不能超出三界。仗佛力，若信愿真切，即可高登九莲。
[This is] really because all Dharma doors, all rely [on] Self-power, [while the] Dharma Door [Of] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha, simultaneously relies [on the] Buddha’s power. Relying [on] Self-power, [if] not [with] afflictions [and] confusions severed completely, [one is] not able [to] transcend [and] exit [the] three realms. Relying [on the] Buddha’s power, if [with] Faith [and] Aspiration true [and] sincere, immediately can [there be] ascent [of the] nine lotus [grades].
[Note 4: The three realms (三界) are the (i) desire realm, (ii) form realm and (iii) formlessness realm, with the transcending and exiting (超出) of which is to be liberated (解脱), or to reach Pure Land (净土), where liberation is assured. The nine lotus (九莲) grades can be seen at https://purelanders.com/guanjing.]
[Note 5: In this era, it is already extremely difficult, or as the Great Master taught, impossible to rely on only Self-power (自力) for self-liberation in this lifetime, what more to attain Buddhahood. As all Dharma doors rely upon Self-power, the Two-powered (二力) Pure Land path does too. However, it combines our limited Self-power with the great Other-power (他力) or Buddha’s power (佛力) of Āmítuófó, for the crucial connection and support to reach his Pure Land, thus enabling swiftest progress towards Buddhahood there. With interconnection to all other Buddhas, this Other-power is all Buddhas’ united power of blessings too.]
当今之人，欲于现生了生死大事者，舍此一法，则绝无希望矣。
Of people nowadays, [in this Dharma-Ending Age, if there are] those desiring [to, in this] present life, [accomplish the] great matter [of] liberation [from the cycle of] birth [and] death, abandoning this one Dharma [door], then [are they] absolutely without hope.
[Note 6: In this Dharma-Ending Age (末法时期), the quality of the Buddha’s Dharma (佛法) being learnt, practised, realised and shared is in general decline.]
须知净土法门，法法圆通。如皓月丽天，川川俱现。水银堕地，颗颗皆圆。
[It] must [be] known [that the] Pure Land Dharma Door, [is with every] Dharma [door] perfectly penetrated. Like [the] bright moon magnificent [in the] sky, [is in every] river together reflected. [Like] mercury falling [to the] ground, [is with every] drop equally round.
[Note 7: Within the Pure Land Dharma Door (净土法门) Of Mindfulness Of Buddha (念佛法门), is the essence of all other Dharma doors as they are all interconnected, with mindfulness of Buddha being the fundamental core.]
不独于格物致知，穷理尽性，觉世牖民，治国安邦者，有大裨益。
Not only for those investigating things [to] arrive [at] knowledge, [also for] studying principles [to] completely [understand human] nature, [for] awakening [the] world [and] enlightening people, [for] ruling countries [and bringing] peace [to] regions, [it] has great benefits.
即士农工商，欲发展其事业，老幼男女，欲消灭其疾苦者，无不随感而应，遂心满愿。
Even [for] scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, [who] desire [to] develop their undertakings, [the] old [and] young, males [and] females, those desiring [to] eliminate their sicknesses [and] suffering, [they are] without [those] not accordingly [with] connections and responses, [to their] liking, fulfilling [their] aspirations.
[Note 8: Sincere mindfulness of Buddha is thus like a wish-fulfilling gem (如意珠), that accords with all wishes aligned with the Dharma.]
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）：无锡净业社年刊序；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Second Compilation): Preface [For] ‘Wúxī Pure Karma Society’s Annual [Publication]’;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第十则）：一、赞净土超胜（第十则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (10th Short Section): 1st [Chapter]: Praise [Of The] Pure Land [Dharma Door Being] Transcendental [And] Supreme (10th Short Section)
[Ref: #10 / 1.10]
Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关典籍
Related Texts:
《印光大师文钞菁华录》
Record Of Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence
https://purelanders.com/jinghualu
