[10] 怎样理解娑婆一大劫，极乐一昼夜？
[10] How [To] Understand [That This] Sahā [World’s] One Great Kalpa, [Is The Land Of] Ultimate Bliss’ One Day [And] Night?
◎ 佛菩萨神通道力，能促长劫为一念，能延一念为长劫。此方利根或钝根诚恳至极之人，即能数十日或数年，或大彻大悟及亲证三昧。所谓娑婆一大劫，极乐一昼夜，此显示极乐时间耳。
◎ [Summary]: Buddhas [and] Bodhisattvas’ supernormal path’s powers, [are] able [to] hasten long kalpas [to be] one thought, [and] able [to] extend one thought [to be] long kalpas. Of this region’s persons [with] sharp roots or dull roots, [with] sincerity utmost, [they are] then able [to, in] several tens [of] days or several years, perhaps [with] great penetration [and] great awakening reached, personally realise samādhi. So-called [this] Sahā [World’s] one great kalpa, [is the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss’ one day [and] night. This shows [the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss’ time.
娑婆一大劫，极乐一昼夜，此显示极乐时间耳。
[This] Sahā [World’s] one great kalpa, [is the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss’ one day [and] night. This shows [the Land Of] Ultimate Bliss’ time.
至云一日一夜，七日一劫，十二大劫等，皆约此方之时期言之。何以知之？
As [for] speaking [of] one day, one night, seven days, one kalpa, twelve great kalpas [and] others, [are] all restrained [to the] time periods of this region speaking [of] them. How [is it] with this known?
此方利根或钝根诚恳至极之人，即能数十日或数年，或大彻大悟及亲证三昧。
Of this region’s persons [with] sharp roots or dull roots, [with] sincerity utmost, [they are] then able [to, in] several tens [of] days or several years, perhaps [with] great penetration [and] great awakening reached, personally realise samādhi.
岂往生西方，住于佛菩萨不思议神通威德所常加被之胜妙境界中，其得益比此方更迟得日劫相倍乎？
How can it be [that when] reborn [in the] Western [Land Of] Ultimate Bliss, abiding within [the] Buddha [and] Bodhisattvas’ inconceivable supernormal [powers and] majestic virtues, [by] those constantly blessed within that supremely wonderful realm, those attained benefits, compared [to this] region, [are] even later attained, [with] days [and] kalpas, compared [in] times?
此事此理，岂待智者方知乎？以诸位不善会意，颠倒说话，故有此失。
[On] this matter [and] this principle, how can it be waiting [to be] those wise, then knowing [this]? With everyone not well understanding [the] meaning, invertedly speaking, thus having this mistake.
况时劫不定，佛菩萨神通道力，能促长劫一念，能延一念为长劫乎！
Moreover, [with the] time [of] kalpas not definite, Buddhas [and] Bodhisattvas’ supernormal path’s powers, [are] able [to] hasten long kalpas [to be] one thought, [and] able [to] extend one thought [to be] long kalpas.
执定五年不当来此，是执经文而悖经义也。得光此一说，群疑自释。
[To be] attached [that] definitely [for] five years, [there] should not [be] coming [back] here, [this] is attachment [to the] sutras’ text, then contradicting [the] sūtras’ meaning. [Having] obtained [Yìn]guāng[’s] this one explanation, [may your] many doubts [be] dispelled.
况始往生即来报示者，皆承弥陀威神，欲藉此以开导迷蒙，实非自力专擅者可比也。
Moreover, those just reborn immediately coming [back to] report [and] teach, all received [Ā]mítuó[fó’s] mighty super[normal powers], desiring [to] rely on these, with [them for] inspiring [and] guiding [the] confused [and] muddled. [They are] truly not [with] those [by] self-power focused [on] acting arbitrarily comparable.
计公即时生西，不逾时回报，皆属此义。
[With] Jìgōng immediately born [in the] Western [Pure Land], not exceeding two hours reporting back, all [these] belong [to] this meaning.
[Note: Jìgōng (计公) was an ironworker (铁工). When approaching seventy years-old, he lost sight in both eyes. He met good-knowing friends (善知识), who taught him to recite Āmítuófó’s name (阿弥陀佛). After more than 1,400,000 recitations, both of his eyes became clear. He later also recited Āmítuófó’s name and departed for his Pure Land too, before ‘returning’ soon, to report on this.]
《复王砚生居士书一》
First Reply Letter [To] Layperson Wáng Yànshēng
净土宗十三祖印光大师著
Written [By] 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
传印法师鉴定
Evaluated [By] Dharma Master Chuányìn
Námó Āmítuófó : Translation and note by Shen Shi’an
