唯取适宜，有利无弊
[251] Only Accepting [That] Suitable, Has Benefits Without Harms
言取舍者，此约究竟实义为难（难者，反诘问也）。不知究竟无取无舍，乃成佛已后事。若未成佛，其间断惑证真，皆属取舍边事。
Speaking [of] those accepting [and] rejecting, [it is with] these restricted [to] ultimate truth’s meaning, [that they] are questioned. (That questioned [will be] cross-examined.) [It might] not [be] known [that] ultimately [being] without accepting [and] without rejecting, thus [is with] accomplishing [of] Buddhahood already, [as] later matters. If yet [to] accomplish Buddhahood, during this time severing confusions [and] realising [the] true, all [of these] belong [to] accepting [and] rejecting’s side matters.
[Note 1: Before completely severing confusions (断惑) and realising the true (证真) (i.e. ultimate truth) (真谛) as an accomplished Buddha (成佛), there still has to be accepting and rejecting (取舍), with these as central matters, while being without accepting and without rejecting (无取无舍) are side matters.]
既许断惑证真之取舍，何不许舍东取西、离垢取净之取舍？
Since allowing accepting [and] rejecting of severing confusions [and] realising [the] true, why not allow rejecting [of the] Eastern [and] accepting [of the] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss (西方极乐世界), with] accepting [and] rejecting of departing [from the] defiled [and] accepting [of the] pure?
[Note 2: There should be accepting (取) for realising the true (证真), by reaching that Western Pure Land (西方净土), and rejecting (舍) for severing confusions (断惑), by departing from this Eastern Defiled Land (东方秽土).]
若参禅一法，则取舍皆非。念佛一法，则取舍皆是。
If contemplating Chán, [with this] one Dharma [Door], then [are] accepting [and] rejecting all wrong. [With] mindfulness [of] Buddha, [this] one Dharma [Door], then [are] accepting [and] rejecting all right.
[Note 3: The Chán Tradition (禅宗) attempts to relinquish accepting and rejecting (取舍) to realise the ultimate truth (真谛) directly, although it is very difficult in this age, while the Pure Land Tradition (净土宗) utilises accepting and rejecting to practise relative truths (俗谛) for reaching Pure Land, where all truths will be realised completely and swiftly, which is much easier in every age.]
以一属专究自心，一属兼仗佛力。彼不究法门之所以然，而妄以参禅之法破念佛，则是误用其意。
With one belonging [to] focused examining [of] one’s mind, [and] one belonging [to] simultaneous relying on [the] Buddha’s power. Those not examining the rationale of [these] Dharma Doors, then falsely with [the] method of contemplating Chán destroying mindfulness [of] Buddha, are then misapplying their meanings.
[Note 4: The Chán Tradition (禅宗) uses Self-power (自力), while the Pure Land Tradition (净土宗) uses Self-power that is connected to the Other-power (他力) of the Buddha (佛力).]
彼无取舍，原是醍醐。而欲念佛者，亦不取舍，则便成毒药矣。
That without accepting [and] rejecting, originally is [the] ‘finest cream’. Yet, those desiring [to be] mindful [of the] Buddha, [if] also not accepting [and] rejecting, [it] then becomes poison.
[Note 5: There should not be putting the cart before the horse, by attempting to attain the ultimate before mastering the relative, with which there will be spiritual obstacles, even going astray.]
夏葛而冬裘，渴饮而饥食。不可相非，亦不可固执。唯取其适宜，则有利无弊矣。
[In] summer [with] linen and [in] winter [with] fur, [with] thirst drinking and [with] hunger eating. [There] must not [be] contradicting [of] each another, [and] also must not [be] stubborn grasping. Only [with] accepting [of] that suitable, then having benefits without harms.
[Note 6: Since Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) taught that the Pure Land Dharma Door (净土法门) is the most skilful and feasible path for practice with certain results by the end of this life in this Dharma-Ending Age (末法时期), we should focus on it accordingly, as our main cultivation method.]
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）：马契西书二；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Second Reply Letter [To] Mǎ Qìxī;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百五十一则）：七、分禅净界限（第十三则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (251st Short Section): 7th Chapter: Differentiation Of Chán And Pure Land Traditions’ Boundaries (13th Short Section)
[Ref: #251 / 7.13]
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
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