信愿持名为特别法门
[138] [With] Faith [And] Aspiration Upholding [Āmítuófó’s] Name Is [The] Special Dharma Door
窃维修持法门，有二种不同：若仗自力修戒定慧，以迄断惑证真，了生脱死者，名为通途法门。
Privately contemplating [on the] practice [of] Dharma Doors, [there] are two kinds [of] differences. If [as] those relying [on] Self-power cultivating precepts, concentration [and] wisdom [i.e. the Threefold Learning (三学)], with [this] until severing confusions [and] realising [the] true, [to be] liberated [from the cycle of] birth [and] death, [these are] named as Common Dharma Doors.
若具真信切愿，持佛名号，以期仗佛慈力，往生西方者，名为特别法门。
If [as] those possessing true Faith [and] sincere Aspiration, upholding [the] Buddha[‘s name] [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)], with hope [of] relying [on the] Buddha’s compassionate power, [to be] reborn [in his] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (西方极乐世界), this is] named as [the] Special Dharma Door.
通途全仗自力，特别则自力、佛力兼而有之。
[The] Common [Dharma Doors] completely rely [on] Self-power. [The] Special [Dharma Door] then relies [on] Self-power [and the] Buddha’s [Other-]power [他力], together then having them.
即有深修定慧断惑之功，而无真信切愿念佛求生，亦属自力。
Even if having efforts of deep cultivation [of] concentration [and] wisdom [for] severing confusions, yet without true Faith [and] sincere Aspiration mindful [of the] Buddha [to] seek birth, [this] also belongs [to] Self-power.
今以喻明：通途，如画山水，必一笔一画而渐成；特别，如照山水，虽数十重蓊蔚峰峦，一照俱了。
Now with analogies [for] understanding, Common [Dharma Doors are] like painting mountains [and] rivers, [which] must [be with] one brush’s [each] one stroke then gradually accomplished. [The] Special [Dharma Door is] like reflecting [the] mountains [and] rivers. Although [with] several tens [of] layers [of] lush vegetation, mountain peaks [and] ranges, [they are with] one reflection entirely complete.
又通途，如步行登程，强者日不过百十里；特别，如乘转轮圣王轮宝，一日即可遍达四大部洲。
Also, Common [Dharma Doors are] like walking [and] ascending [on a] journey, [with] those strong [in one] day not exceeding [a] hundred or so lǐs. [The] Special [Dharma Door is] like riding [a] Wheel-Turning Noble King’s wheel treasure, [which in] one day, can then [be with] everywhere reached [in the] four great continents.
吾人既无立地成佛之资格，又无断见惑任运不造恶业之实证，若不专修净业，以期仗佛慈力，带业往生，则恐尽未来际仍在三途六道中，受生受死，莫由出离也。愿我同人，咸生正信。
We, since without qualifications of standing [on this] ground [to] accomplish Buddhahood [immediately], also without true realisation [of] severing [wrong] views [and] confusions, [and] natural accomplishing [of] not creating evil karmas, if not focusing [on] cultivating pure karmas, with hope [of] relying [on the] Buddha’s compassionate power, [to] carry [our] karmas [to be] reborn, then fearing [that at] the future’s limit, [will] still [be] within [the] three realms’ six paths, receiving births [and] receiving deaths, [with] no cause [for] departure. May my colleagues, all give birth [to] true Faith.
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）：近代往生传序；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Modern Rebirth Records’ Preface;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第一百三十八则）：三、示修持方法：戊、评修持各法（第一则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (138th Short Section): 3rd [Chapter]: Guidance [On] Practice Methods: Fifth, Reviews [On] Practices’ Each Method (1st Short Section)
[Ref: #138 / 3.5.1]
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
