[140] The Most Wonderful Secret For Success 最妙秘诀

最妙秘诀
[140] [The] Most Wonderful Secret [For] Success

吾人心性，与佛同俦。
只因迷背，轮回不休。

Our mind-nature, with [the] Buddhas’, [is the] same, [like those of] companions. Only because [of] confusion [going] against [it, with] rebirth unceasing.

如来慈悯，随机说法。
普令含识，就路还家。

[The] Thus Come [One with] kind sympathy, according [to our] capacities spoke [the] Dharma. Universally enabling [all] containing consciousnesses, [to] approach paths [to] return home.

法门虽多，其要唯二。
曰禅与净，了脱最易。

Dharma Doors although [are] many, their essentials [are] only two. Speaking [of] Chán with Pure Land, liberation [is] most easy.

禅唯自力，净兼佛力。
二法相校，净最契机。

[The] Chán [Door is] only [with] Self-power, [while the] Pure Land [Door is] simultaneously [with the] Buddha’s power. [With these] two Dharma [Doors] compared [with] each other, [the] Pure Land [Door is] most agreeable [with our] capacities.

如人度海，须仗舟船。
速得到岸，身心坦然。

Like people crossing [the] ocean, [they] must rely on [a] boat. Quickly attain arrival [at the] shore, [with the] body [and] mind calm [and] undisturbed.

末世众生，唯此堪行。
否则违机，劳而难成。

[This Dharma-]Ending Age’s sentient beings, [are] only [with] this adequately capable [for] Practice. Otherwise, [if] contrary to [their] capacities, [there will be] toiling, yet [with] difficulty [for] accomplishment.

发大菩提，生真信愿。
毕生坚持，唯佛是念。

Give rise [to the] Great Bodhi [Mind] [i.e. Bodhicitta (菩提心)], [and] give rise [to] true Faith [and] Aspiration. [For] all [of this] life firmly upholding, only [with the] Buddha[‘s name] [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)] be mindful.

念极情忘，即念无念。
禅教妙义，彻底显现。

[With] mindfulness utmost [and] passions forgotten, then [is] mindfulness without mindfulness. [The] Chán teachings’ wonderful meaning, [will] completely appear.

待至临终，蒙佛接引。
直登上品，证无生忍。

Awaiting until approaching [life’s] end, [to] receive [the] Buddha’s reception [and] guidance. Directly ascend [to a] High Grade, [to] realise Non-Birth’s Forbearance.

有一秘诀，剀切相告。
竭诚尽敬，妙妙妙妙。

[There] is one secret [for] success [to reach Pure Land, to] earnestly inform one another. [It is to have] wholehearted sincerity [and] utmost reverence [when practising mindfulness of Buddha, which is most] wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

编者敬按：《文钞》中发挥禅净难易与诚敬利益者，连篇累牍，反复叮咛。唯此十偈，囊括无遗。

Editor’s respectful note: [The] ‘Collected Writings’ within abundantly express those Chán [and] Pure [Land Doors’] difficulty [and] ease, with sincerity [and] reverence’s benefits, [in] connected essays [and] accumulated documents, [with] repeated exhortations. Only these ten verses, include [their essence] without omission.

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）：与吴璧华书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Letter For Wú Bìhuá;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百四十则）：三、示修持方法：戊、评修持各法（第三则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (140th Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Fifth, Reviews [On] Practices’ Each Method (3rd Short Section)
[Ref: #140 / 3.5.3]

Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an