念佛偈
Verses [On] Mindfulness [Of] Buddha
自性弥陀，弥陀自性，执性废修，因乐成病。
弥陀自性，自性弥陀，皇风一片，帝网交罗。
[As] self-nature [is] Āmítuófó, [and] Āmítuófó [is] self-nature, [to be] attached [to the] nature [and to] abandon cultivation, because [of this] ‘joy’, [it] becomes [a] sickness. [As] Āmítuófó [is] self-nature, [and] self-nature [is] Āmítuófó, [an] emperor [and his] teachings [for] transformation [are] one piece, [like] Śakra’s net’s intersections.
佛非性外，性即佛中，如水投水，似空合空。
佛在性中，性岂佛外，本自圆融，云何隔碍？
[The] Buddha [is] not outside [the] nature, [and the] nature is the same [as the] Buddha within, like water thrown [into] water, similar [to] space joining space. [As the] Buddha [is] in within [the] nature, how [can the] nature [be] outside [the] Buddha? Originally [and] naturally perfectly [and] completely interpenetrating, how [can there be] separation [and] obstruction?
极乐唯心，心唯极乐，离土论心，翻然大错。
唯心极乐，极乐唯心，山自高高，水自深深。
[As the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss [is] mind-only, [and the] mind-only [is the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss, departing [from the] land [to] discuss [the] mind, [is to] suddenly [and] completely [make a] great mistake. [As the] mind-only [is the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss, [and the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss [is] mind-only, [the] mountains naturally high [are] high, [and] waters naturally deep [are] deep.
未明唯土，岂达唯心，碔砆非玉，鍮石非金？
欲会唯心，须明唯土，夜半正明，天晓不露。
Yet [to be] clear [on] land-only, how [to] attain mind-only, [as] jadelike stone [is] not jade, [and] brass ore [is] not gold? Desiring [to] understand mind-only, [there] must [be] clarity [of] land-only, [in the] middle [of the] night truly clear, [with that the] sky [at] dawn [does] not reveal.
穷禅宗髓，提教网纲，阿弥果佛，安乐西方。
九品宝莲，在脚跟底，不念弥陀，孤负自己。
Exhausting [the] Chán Tradition’s marrow, [and] raising [the sūtra] teachings’ net’s hawser [i.e. guiding principles], [is] Āmí[tuófó’s] fruit [of] Buddhahood, [his Land Of] Peace [And] Bliss, [the] Western [Pure Land.[With the] nine grades [of] treasure lotuses, at [the] heels below, not [being] mindful [of Ā]mítuó[fó, is to] let down oneself.
信手瓣香，至心一拜，本分修持，大人境界。
见闻随喜，信愿持名，功圆旷劫，佛补一生。
[With] faithful hands [offering a] piece [of] incense, [with the] sincere mind [making] one prostration, [with] one’s [own] responsibility practising, [for reaching] great persons’ realm. [With that] seen [and] heard accordingly rejoicing, [with] Faith [and] Aspiration upholding [Āmítuófó’s] name, [with] merits completing [those from] past kalpas, [become a] Buddha [who] replaces [another in] one lifetime.
净土宗十二祖彻悟大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 12th Patriarch Great Master Chèwù
《彻悟禅师文集》
(Collection [Of] Chán Master Chèwù’s Texts)
Namo Amituofo : Translation by Shen Shi’an
