持名为最要之行
[146] [The] Practice Of Upholding [Āmítuófó’s] Name Is Most Essential
佛为九法界众生说，吾人何可不自量，而专主于最胜者观乎？丈六八尺，佛已为我辈说过矣。
[With that the] Buddha, for [the] nine dharma realms’ sentient beings spoken, how can we not [take proper] measure [of] ourselves, yet focus mainly on that most supreme [for] contemplation [i.e. Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) form]? [On his one] zhàng [and] six [chǐs’ (2.72m) standing or] eight chǐs’ (1.36m) [sitting form, the] Buddha already for us spoke [of them] before [in the Contemplation Sūtra《观经》].
[Note 1: The Nine Dharma Realms (九法界) are the Ten Dharma Realms (十法界) without the Buddhas’ Realm (佛界). In other words, they refer to non-Buddhas. The ten are the Six Ordinary Realms (六凡) of (1) Hell-Beings (地狱众生), (2) Hungry Ghosts (饿鬼), (3) Animals (畜生), (4) Human Beings (人), (5) Asuras (阿修罗) and (6) Heavenly Beings (天人), with the Four Noble (Enlightened) Realms (四圣) of (7) Voice-Hearers/ Śrāvakas (声闻) / Arhats ([阿]罗汉), (8) Pratyekabuddhas (辟支佛)/ Those By Conditions Awakened (缘觉)/ Lone Awakeners (独觉), (9) Bodhisattvas (菩[提]萨[埵]) and (10) Buddhas (佛[陀).]
下品将堕地狱之前，大开持名之法，是《观经》仍以持名为最要之行。
Before [those of the] Low Grade [are] about [to] fall [into the] hells, [with] great opening [of the] Dharma [Door] of upholding [the Buddha’s] name [Āmítuófó], [this] is [the] Contemplation Sūtra, still with [its] practice of upholding [the Buddha’s] name as [that] most essential.
《无量寿》，详说佛誓及与净相，是为依《小本》修者之要诀。
[As the] Immeasurable Life [Sūtra] detailedly speaks [about the] Buddha’s vows, and [is] with [his] Pure [Land’s] forms, [it] is as those relying [on the] Small Version [for] cultivation’s essential part.
[Note 2: The Immeasurable Life Sūtra《无量寿经》is also called the ‘Larger Version Of The Amitā(bha) Sūtra’ (大本《阿弥陀经》), while the Amitā(bha) Sūtra《阿弥陀经》is also called the ‘Smaller Version Of The Amitā(bha) Sūtra’ (小本《阿弥陀经》).]
由有此二经，则知《小本》之文，但摄要耳。是知虽依《小本》，不得以二本作不关紧要而忽之。
Due to having these two sūtras, then knowing [the] text of [the] Small Version, only gathers [the] essentials. [With] this know [that] although relying [on the] Small Version, [there] must not [be] with [the] two versions regarded as not important, then neglecting them.
至于修持，果真至诚，于一瞻一礼一称名，皆可消无量罪，增无量福，非一定须作么修方可耳。
As for practice, if truly sincere, relying on one [reverent] gaze, one prostration [or] one recitation [of his] name, all can eliminate immeasurable transgressions, [and] increase immeasurable blessings. [It is] not [that there] definitely must [be] doing [of] one cultivation then able to [do so] only.
心地清净，圣境现前，乃得我固有。何可如贫儿拾金，作极喜颠状？
[With the] mind ground pure, [the] sacred realm [will] appear before [the eyes], thus attaining [what] I inherently have. How can [there be], like [a] poor son picking up gold, becoming [aroused with] extreme joy’s inverted condition?
既有此状，完全是凡情气概。若不省察，难免着魔。
Since having this condition, [it] is completely [with] ordinary sentiments [and] manners. If not examining oneself, [it will be] difficult [to] avoid [being] possessed [by] demons.
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）：复济善师书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Second Compilation): Reply Letter [To] Master Jìshàn;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百四十六则）：三、示修持方法：戊、评修持各法（第九则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (146th Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Fifth, Reviews [On] Practices’ Each Method (9th Short Section)
[Ref: #146 / 3.5.9]
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
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