克尽人道，方可向佛
[299] [With] Fulfilment Utmost [Of The] Human Path, Then Can [There Be] Turning Towards Buddhism
学佛一事，原须克尽人道，方可趣向。
[For] learning Buddhism, [this] one matter, [there] originally must [be] fulfilment utmost [of the] human path. Then can [there be] turning towards [it].
（佛法，虽为出世间法，实在世间法中做出。见《三编·复周伯遒书》）
([The] Buddha’s teachings, although are [with] world-transcending teachings, [they are] truly within worldly teachings conducted. See [the] ‘Third Compilation’s Reply Letter [To] Zhōu Bóqiú)
良以佛教，该世出世间一切诸法。故于父言慈，于子言孝，各令尽其人道之分，然后修出世之法。
[This is] really because [the] Buddha’s teachings, brings together [the] worldly [and] world-transcending, all [their] teachings. Thus to fathers [and mothers] speaking [of] loving-kindness, to children speaking [of] filiality, [with] each led [to the] utmost [of] their parts of [the] human path, after that [with] cultivation of world-transcending teachings.
譬如欲修万丈高楼，必先坚筑地基，开通水道。则万丈高楼，方可增修，且可永久不坏。若或地基不坚，必至未成而坏。
For example, [if] desiring [to] build [a] ten thousand zhàngs’ high tower, [there] must first [be] firm building [of the] ground’s foundation, [and] opening up [of] sewers. Then [is the] ten thousand zhàngs’ high tower, then [what] can [be] increasingly built. Moreover, can [it be] long-lasting, [to] not [be] destroyed. If perhaps [with the] ground’s foundation not firm, [this] will arrive [at it] yet [to be] formed then destroyed.
[Note 1: 1 chǐ (尺) is 17 centimetres, and 1 zhàng (丈) is 10 chǐs, or 170 centimetres. Ten thousand (10,000) zhàngs is thus 1,700,000 centimetres or 17,000 metres.]
昔白居易问鸟窠禅师曰：「如何是佛法大意？」
[In the] past, Bái Jūyì asked Chán Master Niǎokē, saying, ‘What are [the] Buddha’s teachings’ great meanings [i.e. general ideas]?’
师曰：「诸恶莫作，众善奉行。」
[The] Master said, ‘[Of] all evils not do [them, of] all good practise [them].’
[Note 2: The complete verse 183, as taught by Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) and recorded in the Dharmapada《法句经》says, ‘Of all evil not do, of all good practise, and to self-purify this mind, these are all Buddhas’ teachings.’ (诸恶莫作，众善奉行，自净其意，是诸佛教。) All these three stages of practice can be practised with mindfulness of Buddha (念佛) in this life and perfected in Pure Land after, as explained at https://purelanders.com/2019/07/04/verses-on-cultivation-of-all-teachings.]
欲学佛法，先须克己慎独，事事皆从心地中真实做出。若此人者，乃可谓真佛弟子。
[If] desiring [to] learn [the] Buddha’s teachings, [there] first must [be] self-restraint, caution when alone, [with] every matter all from [the] mind ground within truly conducted. If [there are] these persons, thus can [they be] called true Buddha’s disciples.
若其心奸恶，欲借佛法以免罪业者，何异先服毒药，后服良药？欲其身轻体健，年延寿永者，其可得乎？
If their minds [are] treacherous [and] evil, [with] those desiring [to] borrow [the] Buddha’s teachings, with [them for] avoiding transgressive karmas, how [is this] different [from] first taking poison, later taking good medicine? [If] desiring their bodies [to be] nimble [and] robust, [with] years extended [for] lifespans long, [how] can these [be] attained?
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）：与丁福保书；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Letter For Dīng Fúbǎo;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百九十九则）：九、谕在家善信：甲、示伦常大教（第一则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (299th Short Section): 9th [Chapter]: Instructions For Householders [To Be] Good And Faithful: First, Guidance On Proper Human Relationships’ Great Teachings (1st Short Section)
[Ref: #299 / 9.1.1]
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
