持咒诵经，唯作助行
[276] Upholding Mantras [And] Reciting Sūtras, Only [Can] Be Supportive Practices
持咒一法，但可作助行。不可以念佛为兼带，以持咒作正行。
Upholding [of] mantras, [this] one Dharma [Door], only can be [a] Supportive Practice. [There] must not [be] with mindfulness [of the] Buddha[‘s name] [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)] as [that] also carried, with upholding [of] mantras becoming [the] Main Practice.
[Note 1: To reach Pure Land (净土), mindfulness of Buddha (念佛) should be the Main Practice (正行), that primary practice practised the most for focus, while all other practices, if any, should be Supportive Practices (助行) only, those secondary practices practised less (in comparison).]
（但须主助分明，则助亦归主。见《正编·复永嘉某居士书一》）
(However, [there] must [be with the] Main [and] Supportive [Practices] distinct [and] clear, then [with the] Supportive also returning [to the] Main. See [the] ‘First Compilation’s First Reply Letter [To A] Certain Yǒngjiā Layperson’)
夫持咒法门，虽亦不可思议，而凡夫往生，全在信愿真切，与弥陀宏誓大愿，感应道交，而蒙接引耳。
That upholding [of] mantras’ Dharma Door, although also inconceivable, yet [for] ordinary beings [to be] reborn [in Pure Land, this is] entirely in Faith [and] Aspiration [being] true [and] sincere, with [Ā]mítuó[fó’s] great vows, [having] connection [and] response [for] mutual interaction, then receiving [his] reception [and] guidance.
[Note 2: The Dharma Door of mindfulness of Buddha (念佛法门), as described is the Main Practice (正行) needed to reach Pure Land, not any other practice.]
若不知此意，则法法头头，皆不思议，随修何法，皆无不可，便成「无禅无净土，铁床并铜柱，万劫与千生，没个人依怙」矣。
If not knowing this meaning, then [with] Dharma [Door after] Dharma [Door], each [and] every [one], all inconceivable, as wished cultivating whatever Dharma [Door], all without [what] must not [be done, this] then becomes, ‘Without Chán [and] without Pure Land [practices], iron beds and bronze pillars [await them. For] ten thousand kalpas and thousands [of] lives, [with] no person [to] rely upon.’
[Note 3: This refers to those who do not understand the great importance and skilfulness of practising the Dharma Door of mindfulness of Buddha, who instead ‘practise’ other Dharma Doors ‘randomly’ and in mixed manners, while not being proficient in any of them.]
[Note 4: The verse is from ‘Chán And Pure Land’s Fourfold Explanations’ 《禅净四料简》: https://purelanders.com/2009/12/15/brief-on-four-categories.]
若知自是具缚凡夫，通身业力，匪仗如来宏誓愿力，决难即生定出轮回。
If knowing oneself [is [a] completely bound ordinary being, [with the] whole body [having evil] karmas’ power, [if] not relying [on the] Thus Come [One’s] great vows’ power, [it is] certainly difficult [to, in this] immediate life, definitely exit [from] rebirth.
[Note 5: As ordinary beings (凡夫) have much evil karmas’ power (恶业力), while having little Self-power (自力), we should connect it with the Buddha’s great Other-power (他力) with mindfulness of Buddha (念佛).]
方知净土一法，一代时教，皆不能比其力用耳。
Then knowing [the] Pure Land, [this] one Dharma [Door, is with the Buddha’s] one lifetime’s teachings. All [others are] not able [to] compare [with] its power [and] function.
持咒诵经，以之植福慧，消罪业，则可矣。
Upholding mantras [and] reciting sūtras, with these planting blessings [and] wisdom, [and] eliminating transgressive karmas, [these] then can [be done].
[Note 6: According to the ‘Sūtra In Which The Buddha Speaks Of Amitā(bha) Buddha’s Fundamental Esoteric Spiritual Mantra’ 《佛说阿弥陀佛根本秘密神咒经》, as taught by Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛), as Āmítuófó‘s (阿弥陀佛) name encapsulates ’all sutras… spiritual mantras’ (一切诸经… 神咒), mindfulness of the Buddha’s name is actually already adequate in itself. Thus can blessings and wisdom be planted too, and transgressive karmas be eliminated too.]
欲求神通，着魔发狂
[276] Desiring [To] Seek Supernormal [Powers, Becoming] Possessed [By] Demons [To] Go Mad
若妄意欲求神通，则所谓舍本逐末，不善用心。倘此心固结，又复理路不清，戒力不坚，菩提心不生，而人我心偏炽，则着魔发狂，尚有日在。
If [with] false thoughts desiring [to] seek supernormal [powers], then [is this] so-called [to] abandon [the] roots [to] pursue [the] tips, not good [at being] wholehearted. If this mind [becomes] firm [and] solid, also again, [with] principles’ path not clear, precepts’ power not firm, [the] Bodhi Mind not given rise, and [with] ‘others [and] self’s mind partial [and] blazing, then [becoming] possessed [by] demons [to] go mad, [there] still is [a] day when [this might occur].
[Note 7: As the mind with great delusion and greed for supernormal powers is already spiritually weak, external demons might seize this opportunity to ‘convince’ yet confuse, thus causing the loss of one’s mind.]
夫欲得神通，须先得道，得道则神通自具。
Those desiring [to] attain supernormal [powers], must first attain [the] path, [with] attaining [of the] path, then [are] supernormal [powers] naturally complete.
[Note 8: As the safest place to attain the path and utilise supernormal powers is in Pure Land, there should be no hurry to attain the latter here and now, lest great delusion and greed for them consumes one.]
若不致力于道，而唯求乎通，且无论通不能得，即得则或反障道。故诸佛诸祖，皆严禁之，而不许人修学焉。
If not devoting efforts for [the] path, yet only in seeking [super]normal [powers], moreover, regardless of whether [the super]normal [powers are able or] not able [to be] attained, even [if] attained, then perhaps instead [with them] obstructing [the] path. Thus, all Buddhas [and] all Patriarchs, all strictly prohibit that, and [do] not allow people [to] cultivate [or] learn this.
[Note 9: If one is still with much greed, anger (i.e. hatred) and ignorance (i.e. delusion) (贪嗔痴), the actual attaining of supernormal powers might further distract from the path of practice to eliminate these three poisons (三毒), for advancing towards liberation. In fact, there can be the backfiring effect of utilising the powers with these poisons, thus creating more evil karmas (恶业) more ‘efficiently’, that further obstruct the path.]
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）：复永嘉某昆季书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Reply Letter [To Two] Certain Yǒngjiā Brothers;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百七十六则）：八、释普通疑惑：论持咒（第二十五则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (276th Short Section): 8th [Chapter]: Explanations [On] Common Doubts [And] Confusions: Discussion [On] Upholding Mantras (25th Short Section)
[Ref: #276 / 8.25]
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
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至诚恳切持咒去
[275] With Earnestness And Utmost Sincerity Uphold Mantras Continually
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《印光大师文钞菁华录》
Record Of Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence
https://purelanders.com/jinghualu
