理不离事，事不离理
[255] [With] Principles Not Departed [From] Practices, [And] Practices Not Departed [From] Principles
「事持」者，信有西方阿弥陀佛，而未达「是心作佛，是心是佛」。
Those ‘[with] practices upheld’, [have] Faith [that there] is [the] Western Amitā[bha] Buddha [i.e. Āmítuófó]. Then yet [to] reach ‘this mind becomes Buddha, this mind is Buddha’.
但以决志愿求生故，如子忆母，无时暂忘。此未达理性，而但依「事修持」也。
However, with resolute Aspiration seeking birth thus, like [the] child recollecting [the] mother, without [the] time [of] temporarily forgetting [her]. This [is] yet [to] reach principles’ nature, then only relying on ‘practices practised’.
「理持」者，信西方阿弥陀佛，「是我心具，是我心造」。
Those [with] ‘principles upheld’, [have] Faith [that the] Western Amitā[bha] Buddha, ‘is [in] my mind possessed, is [in] my mind created’.
「心具」者，自心原具此理。「心造」者，依「心具」之理而起修，则此理方能彰显，故名为「造」。
[On] that ‘[in my] mind possessed’, [this is] one’s mind [that] originally possesses these principles. [On] that ‘[in my] mind created’, [this is] relying on these principles [‘in my] mind possessed’, then giving rise [to] cultivation. Then [are] these principles, then able [to be] clearly manifested, thus named as ‘created’.
「心具」即「理体」，「心造」即「事修」。
[That ‘in my] mind possessed’ is the same as ‘principles’ nature’. [That ‘in my] mind created’ is the same as ‘practices’ cultivation’.
「心具」即「是心是佛」，「心造」即「是心作佛」。
[That ‘in my] mind possessed’ is the same as ‘this mind is Buddha’. [That ‘in my] mind created’ is the same as ‘this mind becomes Buddha’.
「是心作佛」，即「称性起修」。「是心是佛」，即「全修在性」。
‘This mind becomes Buddha’, is the same as ‘matching nature [to] give rise [to] cultivation’. ‘This mind is Buddha’, is the same as ‘entire cultivation [is] in [the] nature’.
「修德」有功，「性德」方显。虽悟理而仍不废事，方为真修。否则便堕执理废事之狂妄知见矣。
[When] ‘cultivated virtues’ have merits, ‘nature’s virtues’ then manifest. Although awakening [to] principles, yet still not abandoning practices, [this] then is true cultivation. Otherwise, then falling [into the] arrogant ‘knowledge’ [and] views of attaching [to] principles [and] abandoning [of] practices.
故下曰：「即以自心所具所造洪名，为系心之境，令不暂忘也。」
Thus below saying, ‘Immediately with one’s mind’s that possessed [and] that created great name, as [the] realm of fastening [the] mind, causing [it to] not [be] temporarily forgotten.’
此种解法，千古未有。实为机理双契，理事圆融。非法身大士，孰克臻此？
This kind [of] liberation method, [in a] thousand ages, has never existed. [It] truly is [for those with] capacities [and] principles both agreeing, principles [and] practices [in] perfect harmony. [If] not [as the] Dharma Body’s Great Bodhisattvas, who [are] able [to] reach this?
[Note: Dharma Body’s Great Bodhisattvas (法身大士): Bodhisattvas (菩萨) on the First Ground (初地) and above, who have (at least) severed one part (一分) of ignorance (无明) to reveal one part of Dharma-nature (法性). They have severed fetters (结使) and attained the six supernormal powers (六神通力).]
以「事持」纵未悟理，岂能出于理外？不过行人自心未能圆悟。
With [the] ‘practices upheld’, even though yet [to] awaken [to the] principles, how [are they] able [to] arise from [the] principles outside? [This is] only [with] practitioners’ own minds [not] yet able [to] perfectly awaken.
既悟焉，则即事是理。岂所悟之理，不在事中乎？
[Of those] already awakened only, then immediately, practices are principles. How can those principles awakened, not [be] within practices?
理不离事，事不离理，事理无二。如人身心，二俱同时运用。断未有心与身，彼此分张者。
[With] principles not departed [from] practices, [and] practices not departed [from] principles, practices [and] principles [are] not two. Like [a] person’s body [and] mind, [these] two [are] together at the same time used. [There] absolutely has never been those [with the] mind and body, each other split up.
达人则欲不融合而不可得。狂妄知见，执理废事，则便不融合矣。
‘Clever’ persons then, [if] desiring [to] not harmoniously unite [them, this] then [is] unattainable. [With] arrogant ‘knowledge’ [and] views, attaching [to] principles [and] abandoning [of] practices, [they are] then not harmoniously united.
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）：复马契西书九；
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings (First Compilation): Ninth Reply Letter [To] Mǎ Qìxī;
印光大师文钞菁华录（第两百五十五则）：八、释普通疑惑：论理事（第四则）
Record [Of] Great Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Essence (255th Short Section): 8th Chapter: Explanations [On] Common Doubts [And] Confusions: Discussion [On] Principles [And] Practices (4th Short Section)
[Ref: #255 / 8.4]
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
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