不掐珠而知念佛数
Not Clutching Beads, Yet Knowing Buddha Recitations’ Number
[449] 念佛记数的作用是什么？怎么记数？
[449] What Is [The] Function [Of] Reciting [Āmítuó]fó [With] Counting [Of Its] Number? How To Count [Its] Number?
◎ 记数为防懈惰，无懈惰之心不记亦可。印祖记数念佛之法，最能摄心。
◎ [Summary]: Counting [of] number [is] for preventing slackness. [If] without [the] mind of slackness, not counting also can [be done. The] Patriarch [Great Master] Yìn[guāng’s] method of counting numbers [with] recitation [of Āmítuó]fó[‘s name, is] most able [to] gather [the] mind.
（七）念佛记数，是防懈惰。如无懈惰之心，不记亦可。
(7) Recitation [of the] Buddha[‘s name] [i.e. Āmítuófó (阿弥陀佛)] [with] counting [of its] number, is [for] preventing slackness. If without [the] mind of slackness, not counting also can [be done].
记数也可不用掐珠子。最初当用珠子念一点钟。以后快慢，照此一样，念一刻，半点，一点，均可知其佛数。
Counting [of] number also can [be] without use [of] clutching beads. First, [there] should [be] use [of] beads [to] recite [for] one hour. Afterwards, [with that] speed [i.e. fast or slow], according [to] this similarly, [be it] reciting [for] one quarter [of an hour], half [an] hour, [or] one hour, all can [be with] knowing [of] that Buddha[‘s name’s] number.
[Note 1: This means there can be eventual use of timing to ensure commitment to be disciplined. A hands-free phone’s countdown (or even kitchen) timer can be used.]
[Note 2: As the Great Master taught in his ‘Letter Of Admonition To Those First Giving Rise To The Aspiration To Learn Buddhism’ 《诫初发心学佛者书》, ‘When quietly sitting, there must not be clutching. With clutching, then with fingers moving, then will the mind not be able to concentrate. After long, this will receive sickness.’ (静坐时，切不可掐。掐则指动而心不能定，久必受病。)
This means that to be wholeheartedly sincere when mindful of the Buddha’s name (一心念佛), beads should be used only when not stationary; when moving, such as when walking, circumambulating (绕佛) and prostrating (礼佛).]
[Note 3: The unmindful and impatient might move beads or press counters faster than they are reciting, thus making their numbers ‘counted’ inaccurate. This problem can be prevented by using timing instead of counting.]
又《文钞》中记数念佛之法，最能摄心。阅之自知。
Also, within [the] ‘Collected Writings’, [the] method of counting numbers [with] recitation [of Āmítuó]fó[‘s name, is] most able [to] gather [the] mind. [With] reading [of] that, [you will] personally know [it].
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s Thirteenth Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《印光法师文钞三编》：
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Collected Writings’ Third Compilation:
卷四：杂著：第一百十五则：答善熏师问（问词略）：七
Scroll 4: Miscellaneous Writings: Excerpt 115: Replies [To] Master Shànxūn’s Questions ([with] questions’ words omitted): 7
[Ref: #__ / 4.115.7]
《答善熏师问》
Replies [To] Master Shànxūn’s Questions
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《印光法师答念佛600问》
Dharma Master Yìnguāng’s Answers [For] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha’s 600 Questions
释宗柱法师审阅
[By] Dharma Master Shì Zōngzhù Reviewed
Namo Amituofo : Translation and notes by Shen Shi’an
相关教理
Related Teachings:
如何念佛时断除杂念？
[61] How To Eliminate Mixed Thoughts During Mindfulness Of Buddha?
https://purelanders.com/2025/06/20/61-how-to-eliminate-mixed-thoughts-during-mindfulness-of-buddha
