先知因果，慎独下手
[133] First Know Cause [And] Effect, [From Being] Cautious [When] Alone Start
学佛之人，先以知因果、慎独上下手。
Of people learning Buddhism, [they should] first [be] with knowing [of] cause [and] effect, from [being] cautious [when] alone start.
[Note: In a sense, your real conduct is how you behave when no one is looking, although the law of karma is always operating.]
既能慎独，则邪念自消，何至有所不如法处？
Since able [to be] cautious [when] alone, then [with] evil thoughts naturally eliminated, how [can there be] arriving [to the] point [of] having that not according [with the] Dharma?
若有则当力令断灭，方为真实行履。
If having [that], then should [there be] efforts [to] cause [it to be] annihilated. Then is [this with] true practice fulfilled.
否则学在一边，行在一边，知见愈高，行履愈下，此今学佛自称通家者之贴骨大疮。
Otherwise, [with] learning on one side, [and] practice on [the other] one side, [with] knowledge [and] views more and more high, [and] practices fulfilled more and more low. This today, [is the] ‘big ulcer attached [to the] bones’ of those learning Buddhism, [who] call themselves [to be] ‘extensive experts’.
倘能以不贰过是期，则学得一分，便得一分之实益矣。
If able [to be] with this hope [of] not again [making the] same mistake, then [is it with] learning [having] attained one part, then attaining one part of [its] true benefits.
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》（三编）：复陈伯达书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Third Compilation): Reply Letter [To] Chén Bódá;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百三十三则）：三、示修持方法：丁、论存心立品（第五则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (133rd Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Fourth, Discussion [On] Attentively Establishing Character (5th Short Section)
[Ref: #133 / 3.4.5]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and note 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
