5月13日

雲棲法彙
明 蓮池袾宏 ( 1535~1615 )

心本無念，念起即乖，而眾生無始以來，
妄想慣習，未易卒遣，今教念佛，
是乃以毒攻毒，用兵止兵。而念佛一
法，復有多門，今此持名，是為徑路
之中，徑而又徑。因佛有無量德，
今但四字名號足以賅之，以彌陀即是全
體一心，心包眾德，常樂我淨、本覺
始覺、真如佛性、菩提涅槃，百千萬
名，皆此一名，攝無不盡。
寄庫來生，不如現在作福念佛。
許願保禳，不如悔過自新念佛。
無知妄談禪理，不如老實持戒念佛
希求妖鬼靈通，不如正信因果念佛
若人無病，趁身康健，正好念佛。
若人有病，切近無常，正好念佛。
若人聰明，通曉淨土，正好念佛。
若人愚魯，別無所能，正好念佛。
若人持律，律是佛制，正好念佛。
若人看經，經是佛說，正好念佛。
若人參禪，禪是佛心，正好念佛。
若人悟道，悟須佛證，正好念佛。

──選自《雲棲法彙》

May 13

Anthology of the Teachings of Yunqi
Lianchi Zhuhong (1535 - 1615, Ming Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang and Zhi Yue

The mind originally is without thoughts, the arising of thoughts
is thus contrary to its nature. Yet from beginningless time, sentient
beings have had the habit of thinking delusory thoughts which are
difficult to dismiss. I now teach you to be mindful of the Buddha,
for it is like an antidote for poisons, and like fighting soldiers with soldiers.

Nonetheless, the practice of being mindful of the Buddha
involves a variety of ways. Now, to uphold the Buddha’s
name is likened to a path within a path. Because Amitabha has
immeasurable virtue, just four syllables of the Buddha’s name
suffices to make the practice complete.

Amitabha Buddha is precisely the entire mind, the heart of
numerous virtues, eternal bliss and purity of self, the original
enlightenment and initial enlightenment, the true Buddha nature,
bodhi and nirvana. It has a thousand million names, yet only one
name at the same time. It is all-embracing without exception.

Instead of placing one's hope in a future life,
    one may as well accumulate merits now
    by being mindful of the Buddha.
Instead of praying for blessings,
    one may as well repent now and start afresh
    by being mindful of the Buddha.
Instead of empty talks about the theory of Chan,
    one may as well just observe precepts
    and be mindful of the Buddha.

If one is without sickness, taking advantage of being healthy,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.
If one is with sickness, nearing impermanence,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.
If one is bright and understands the Pure Land,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.
If one is dull-witted and lacks ability,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.
If one upholds the precepts established by the Buddha,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.
If one reads the sutras as taught by the Buddha,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.
If one practices Chan, which is the mind of the Buddha,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.
If one is enlightened, which requires Buddha's authentication,
    it is the right time to be mindful of the Buddha.

── from Yunqi Fahui (Anthology of the Teachings of Yunqi)