一心念佛，心佛双亡
[243] [With] Wholehearted Mindfulness [Of] Buddha, [Until The] Mind [And] Buddha [Are] Both ‘Forgotten’
「唯有径路修行」，此是教义，可按文会。
‘Only having [the] direct path [for] cultivating practice’, this is [the sūtra] teachings’ meaning, [that] can according [to the] text [be] understood.
[Note 1: The ‘direct path’ (径路) can be interpreted to be with straightforward mindfulness of Buddha (念佛), as this Pure Land practice is the swiftest path to Buddhahood. This interpretation is the opposite of thinking it refers to the Chán cultivation (禅修).]
「依旧打之绕」，此是宗意，须有悟处，方可彻知。
‘As before beating it around’, this is [the] essentials’ meaning, [that] must have awakening’s position, then can [it be] thoroughly known.
[Note 2: This can be interpreted to be with continual investigation (参) of the Chán Tradition’s (禅宗) public cases (公案) and head phrases (话头). This interpretation is the opposite of thinking it refers to mindfulness of Buddha.]
[Note 3: The next lines of the verse by Chán Master Qíjǐ (齐己禅师) are, ‘Only reciting “Āmítuófó”, with reciting not being a helpful practice.’ (但念阿弥陀佛，念得不济事。) While some think this verse is against mindfulness of Buddha, it can also mean that if only reciting the Buddha’s name in a repetitive and perfunctory way without true Faith (真信) and sincere Aspiration (切愿), this will not be of much benefit.]
曹鲁川自命是通宗通教之大通家，尚错会其意。
Cáo Lǔchuān, [who] considered himself [to] be [a] great [and] extensive ‘expert’, who [is an] ‘expert’ [in the] essentials [and an] ‘expert’ [in the sūtra] teachings, still wrongly understood its meaning.
阁下即欲令示此义，诚所谓游戏而问。
Your excellency, then desiring instructions [for] revealing this meaning, truly [is] so-called playing [a] game then asking.
阁下且放下一切闲知见，一心念佛，念到心佛双亡之后，自可发一大笑，完全了知。
Your excellency, [if] only letting go all idle knowledge [and] views, [for] wholehearted mindfulness [of the] Buddha[‘s name] [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)], [with] reciting arriving [at the] mind [and the] Buddha both ‘forgotten’ after, [you] naturally can burst out [with] a great laugh, [with it] completely understood [and] known.
未到此时，若别人与说，亦不得而知。譬如已到含元殿，其殿中种种，悉皆备知。若为未到者说行，纵明白，依旧是茫然不知。
When yet [to] arrive [at] this, if with other people speaking, [you are] also not able [to] then know. For example, [if having] already arrived [at] Hányuán Hall, all kinds [of things] within this hall, all [can be] completely known. If for those yet [to] arrive speaking [of] practice, even if understood, [they are] as before bewildered, [with it] not known.
宗家之语句，通是教人参的。若以文义会，不但不得其益，尚且以误为悟，其罪极大。
[The] sentences of [the] Chán Tradition, are all [for] teaching people [to] contemplate. If with [the] textual meanings understanding, not only not attaining their benefits, still with [this] mistaken as awakening, these transgressions [are] extremely great.
即令真悟，尚去了生脱死，远之远矣。以彼唯仗自力，须大悟后，烦恼惑业断得净尽无余，方可了。否则莫由而了。
Even if truly awakened, still away [from] liberation [from the cycle of] birth [and] death, [with it] further [than] that far. With that only relying on self-power, [there] must [be], after great awakening, [with] afflictions, confusions [and evil] karmas severed, getting [them to be] completely gone without remainder. Then can [there be] liberation. Otherwise, there is no cause [to] then [be] liberated.
念佛法门，若具真信切愿念佛求生西方，则仗佛慈力，带业往生。
[With the] Dharma Door [Of] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha, if possessing true Faith [and] sincere Aspiration mindful [of the] Buddha[‘s name to] seek birth [in his] Western [Pure Land Of Ultimate Bliss] [西方极乐世界], then relying on [the] Buddha’s compassionate power, carrying karmas [to be] reborn [there].
阁下之根性，也只可学愚夫愚妇之修持。若妄效曹鲁川之身分，不但了生死无分，诚恐堕落三恶道为准程的。何以故？以未得谓得，未证谓证，因兹坏乱佛法，疑误众生故。
[The] root nature of your excellency, also only can learn [the] practice of foolish men [and] foolish women. If falsely imitating [the] identity of Cáo Lǔchuān, not only [for] liberation [from the cycle of] birth [and] death without [a] part, truly, fearing falling [into the] three evil paths is [the] certain rule. Why thus? With [that] yet [to be] attained said [to be] attained, yet [to be] realised said [to be] realised, because [of] this destroying [and] confusing [the] Buddha[‘s] Dharma, confusing [and] misleading sentient beings thus.
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）：复崔德振书二；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (Second Compilation): Second Reply Letter [To] Cuī Dézhèn;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百四十三则）：七、分禅净界限（第五则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (243rd Short Section): 7th Chapter: Differentiation Of Chán And Pure Land Traditions’ Boundaries (5th Short Section)
[Ref: #243 / 7.5]
Namo Amituofo : Translation 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
