[78] With All Those Other Practices, As Pure Land’s Supportive Practices 一切其他行，为净土助行

一切其他行，为净土助行
[78] [With] All Those Other Practices, As Pure Land’s Supportive Practices

日用之中，所有一丝一毫之善，及诵经、礼拜种种善根，皆悉以此功德，回向往生。如是则一切行门，皆为净土助行。

Within every day, [with] all, [each] one thread [and every] one hair of good, and recitation [of] sūtras, prostrations, all kinds [of] good roots, all with these meritorious virtues, dedicate [them for] rebirth [in Pure Land]. Thus then, [are] all practice doors, all as Pure Land’s Supportive Practices.

[Note 1: In contrast, the most time and effort should be spent on the Main Practice (正行) of sincere mindfulness of the Buddha’s name (Āmítuófó: 阿弥陀佛) as it is the key and easiest method for reaching his Pure Land.]

犹如聚众尘而成地，聚众流而成海，广大渊深，其谁能穷？

Similar to gathering all dust [motes], then becoming land, gathering all rivers, then becoming [the] ocean, vast [and] great, profound [and] deep, who [is] able [to] exhaust them?

然须发菩提心，誓愿度生。所有修持功德，普为四恩三有法界众生回向。则如火加油，如苗得雨。

However, [there] must [be] giving rise [to the] Bodhi Mind [i.e. Bodhicitta], vowing [to] deliver sentient beings. [With] all practices’ meritorious virtues, universally for [the] Four Kindnesses, Three Existences, [the] Dharma Realm’s sentient beings dedicated. Then [is this] like [to] fire adding oil, like saplings attaining rain.

[Note 2: 四恩 Four Kindnesses:

(i) 父母恩 Parents’ Kindness
(ii) 国土恩 Country’s Kindness
(iii) 三宝恩 Triple Gem’s Kindness:

(a) 佛恩 Buddhas’ Kindness
(b) 法恩 Dharma’s Kindness
(c) 僧恩 Saṃgha’s Kindness

(iv) 众生恩 Sentient Beings’ Kindness]

[Note 3: 三有 Three Existences:

(i) 欲界 Desire Realm
(ii) 色界 Form Realm
(iii) 无色界 Formless Realm]

既与一切众生深结法缘，速能成就自己大乘胜行。

Since with all sentient beings [having] deeply formed Dharma affinities, quickly able [to] personally accomplish [the] Great Vehicle’s supreme practices.

[Note 4: ‘Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s Ten Great Vows’《普贤菩萨十大愿》can be considered as the Great Vehicle’s supreme practices for attaining Buddhahood and transforming all sentient beings.]

若不知此义，则是凡夫二乘自利之见，虽修妙行，感果卑劣矣。

If not knowing this meaning, only [with the] views of ordinary beings [and the] Two Vehicles [for] self-benefits, although cultivating wonderful practices, [the] connected fruits [are] inferior [and] lowly.

[Note 5: 二乘 Two Vehicles (of 自觉 self-awakening):

(i) 声闻乘 Voice-Hearers’ Vehicle
(ii) 缘觉乘 ‘Those By Conditions Awakened’s Vehicle]

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）：与徐福贤书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Letter For Xú Fúxián;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第七十八则）：三、示修持方法：甲、示念佛方法（第二十六则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (78th Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: First, Guidance [On] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha’s Methods (26th Short Section)
[Ref: #78 / 3.1.26]

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an