Quotation of Master Shandao

善導大師語錄

 

 

 

C1. (一) 念佛勝易（23則）

C2.(二) 極樂超勝 (47則)

C3. (三) 慈悲勸誡偈語（53則）

 

 

(三) 慈悲勸誡偈語（53則）

M6 Compassionate Admonishment (53 entries)

 

1.《法事讚》卷上（善全388頁）：*12/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

 

久住娑婆常沒沒，三惡四趣盡皆停；

披毛戴角受眾苦，未曾聞見聖人名。

憶此疲勞長劫事，誓願捨命見彌陀；

眾等身心皆踴躍，手執香華常供養。

 

Mortal beings continuously sink in the sea of birth-and-death in the Land of Saha. They always remain in the Three Wretched Realms and the Asura Realm.

They suffer from wearing animal skins with horns on their heads, and have never heard the name of any sacred being.

Being taught about these painful lives experienced during endless eons, they should vow to give up mortal life and take refuge in Amitabha.

The multitudes are joyful in both body and mind. Let’s hold fragrant flowers in our hands and always offer them to the Buddha.

 

 

2.《法事讚》卷上（善全398頁）：*13/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

 

慚愧釋迦大悲主，十方恒沙諸世尊；

不捨慈悲巧方便，共讚彌陀弘誓門。

弘誓多門四十八，偏標念佛最為親；

人能念佛佛還念，專心想佛佛知人。

一切迴心向安樂，即見真金功德身；

淨土莊嚴諸聖眾，籠籠常在行人前。

行者見已心歡喜，終時從佛坐金蓮；

一念乘華到佛會，即證不退入三賢。

I feel insignificant compared to the great compassionate Shakyamuni, and all Buddhas in the ten directions, as many as the sands of the Ganges.

They never forsake me; but, compassionately guide me through many skillful means, towards the gate of Amitabha’s Great Vow.

All of the many gates within the forty-eight vows support the great vow of name-recitation, which is the most intimate.

When we recite Amitabha’s name, he embraces us with his mind; if we think of Amitabha, he knows it.

Those who exclusively remember the Buddha are also remembered and known by the Buddha.

If they sincerely dedicate all of their merits towards rebirth in the Land of Peace and Joy, they can see Amitabha’s fully adorned golden body, which is also adorned with merits and virtues.

All sacred beings are equally adorned in the Pure Land. They always appear before practitioners in a mist.

Any practitioner who has seen these sacred beings becomes incredibly joyful. They follow the Buddha and sit upon a golden lotus when their life ends.

Riding upon the lotus, they arrive at a Buddhist Assembly in a flash, realize the state of non-retrogression, and immediately become benevolent bodhisattvas.

 

 

3.《法事讚》卷上（善全401頁）： *14/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

 

曠劫以來居生死，三塗常沒苦皆逕；

始服人身聞正法，由如渴者得清泉。

念念思聞淨土教，文文句句誓當勤；

憶想當時流浪苦，專心聽法入真門。

淨土無生亦無別，究竟解脫金剛身。

 

Living in the realm of birth-and-death for many eons, we constantly and directly

suffer from sinking into the Three Wretched Realms.

Now, we have been born in a human body and have heard the Right Dharma. We

are like thirsty people finding a spring of clean water.

Upon hearing about it , we think of the Pure Land teaching in every single thought, and vow to practice according to every word and sentence.

Remembering the sorrow of wandering in those days, I listened to the Dharma attentively, in order to enter the real gate.

There is no birth and no differentiation in the Pure Land, as we have a diamond body of ultimate emancipation.

 

 

4.《法事讚》卷下（善全420頁）： *15/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”  Verse 6

 

人天大眾皆圍繞，傾心合掌願聞經；

佛知凡聖機時悟，即告舍利用心聽。

一切佛土皆嚴淨，凡夫亂想恐難生；

如來別指西方國，從是超過十萬億。

七寶莊嚴最為勝，聖眾人天壽命長；

佛號彌陀常說法，極樂眾生障自亡。

A multitude of heavenly and human beings encircle the Buddha, join their palms in admiration, and wish to hear the Buddha teaching this Sutra.

The Buddha knew that it was the perfect time to enlighten both ordinary and sacred beings; so, he asked Sariputra to listen with his full attention.

All Buddha-lands are pure and adorned. Ordinary beings who are distracted and confused, with a variety of false thoughts, are not likely to be reborn in them.

Thus, the Tathagata specially directs us to the Pure Land in the West, which is located beyond a hundred thousand billion Buddha-lands.

The Western Pure Land is most splendid and adorned with seven jewels. The lifespans of sacred and celestial beings there are extremely long.

Amitabha Buddha always shares the Dharma. All karmic obstructions to the Buddhist Way, encountered by living beings in the Land of Bliss, naturally perish.

 

5.《法事讚》（善全422頁）：*16/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice” Verse 7

 

三界眾生無智慧，惛惛六道內安身；

諸佛慈心為說法，聾盲觝突伴不聞。

忽爾無常苦來逼，精神錯亂始驚忙；

萬事家生皆捨離，專心發願向西方。

彌陀名號相續念，化佛菩薩眼前行；

或與華臺或授手，須臾命盡佛迎將。

 

All sentient beings in the Three Domains lack wisdom. Their bodies keep on reincarnating endlessly within the silly Six Realms.

Kindheartedly, all Buddhas teach the Dharma. Unfortunately, sentient beings cannot fully understand them. It is as if they are deaf, blind, handicapped, or disabled.

When death suddenly comes, people are controlled by their suffering. Their minds are in chaos and they are paralyzed by fear.

Departing from all worldly matters, family and properties, one should concentrate his mind and aspire to be reborn in the West.

While continuously reciting Amitabha’s Name, the manifested buddhas and bodhisattvas slowly walk in front of us.

They offer us the lotus platform and receive us with welcoming hands. When our lives come to their end Amitabha Buddha will be there to receive us.

 

 

6.《法事讚》（善全428頁）：*17/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

 

極樂莊嚴出三界，人天雜類等無為；

法藏行因廣弘願，設我得佛現稀奇。

或現鳥身能說法，或現無請能應機；

或使微波出妙響，或使林樹讚慈悲；

或使風光相應動，或令羅網說音辭。

一切莊嚴聲遍滿，恒沙天樂自依時；

為引他方凡聖類，故佛現此不思議。

我等聞之身毛豎，碎骨慚謝阿彌師；

一受專精不惜命，須臾即到豈為遲。

 

The adornments of the Land of Bliss are beyond those of the Three Realms. A multitude of human, celestial, and other sentient beings are equally born in this unconditioned realm.

Dharmakara Bodhisattva made an infinitely great vow to cultivate the Bodhisattva practices in his causal ground. With his accomplishment of, “When I attain Buddhahood”, the manifested scenes in the Land of Bliss are rare and splendid.

Sometimes, manifested birds that can speak the Dharma; and, at other times Dharmas that are uninvited but exactly match what the audience would like to hear.

Sometimes wondrous sounds are produced by different subtle waves; and, at other times, the trees in the woods praise the virtues of compassion.

On certain occasions light and breeze move in response to each other; and, on others, Indra’s net in the sky recites poems and verses.

All of the adornments are full of a variety of different sounds that spontaneously create celestial music.

The purpose of these wonders is to attract all ordinary and sacred beings to come. That is why the Buddha manifests all of these inconceivable things.

Upon hearing the descriptions of the Pure Land, we feel so excited that our hair stands on end; and we thank our true Teacher Amitabha with full acceptance.

Once we accept the exclusive practice of Amitabha’s Name, we must not hesitate; but,continuously recite it until we are transported to Amitabha’s Pure Land.

 

7.《法事讚》（善全434頁）：*18/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

 

釋迦如來告身子，即是普告苦眾生，

娑婆六道非安處，冥冥長夜闇中行。

聖化同居不相識，動生瞋毒鬥無明；

為此無明繫六道，愛憎高下何時平。

既無善業排生死，由貪造罪未心驚；

犯此人皮裹驢骨，三塗自入不須爭。

我等聞之心髓痛，誓願頓捨世間榮。

By singling out Sariputra [in the Amitabha Sutra], Shakyamuni Tathagata is actually addressing all suffering sentient beings.

 

The Six Realms in the Land of Saha are neither safe nor peaceful as a permanent residence. All ordinary beings there keep moving aimlessly in darkness, like an endless nightmare.

 

Though sacred and ordinary beings live together in the Land of Saha, they do not recognize each other. Becoming easily angered , people constantly fight and commit other offenses due to ignorance.

 

Because of their ignorance, they lose their freedom and must endlessly remain in the Six Realms. When can they treat each other equally and wisely discriminate between love and hatred, superiority and inferiority?

 

They have no virtuous karma to eliminate the suffering of birth-and-death, and they are

unaware of the retribution they will receive resulting from their greed.

 

Those beings in the animal realm and Three Wretched Realms, who have the body of an ass wrapped within a human skin , will automatically be reborn without doubt.

 

Upon hearing this we are so sad that our hearts are broken. We vow to renounce all worldly glories immediately.

 

 

8.《法事讚》（善全437頁）： *19/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

 

極樂無為涅槃界，隨緣雜善恐難生；

故使如來選要法，教念彌陀專復專。

七日七夜心無間，長時起行倍皆然；

臨終聖眾持華現，身心踴躍坐金蓮。

坐時即得無生忍，一念迎將至佛前；

法侶將衣競來著，證得不退入三賢。

 

The Land of Bliss is a realm of unconditioned nirvana; It’s hard to be reborn there by practicing assorted virtues according to circumstances.

Tathagata selected the key method. He taught us to recite Amitabha’s name with two-fold exclusivity.

He recited for seven days and seven nights without interruption. He always practiced for long periods of time.

A multitude of sacred beings, holding lotus flowers, appeared when he was near the end-of-life.

He was so physically and mentally excited that he jumped upon a golden lotus altar and sat upon its throne.

Once he was seated, he attained the perseverance of no-birth. He was welcomed by Amitabha Buddha within one thought.

 

 

9.《法事讚》（善全446頁）： *20/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

 

十惡五逆多疑謗，信邪事鬼餒神魔；

妄想求恩謂有福，災障禍橫轉彌多。

連年臥病於床枕，聾盲腳折手攣橛；

承事神明得此報，如何不捨念彌陀。

彌陀願力皆平等，但使迴心華自捧，

一念逍遙快樂國，畢竟常安無退動。

Those who commit the Ten Evil Deeds and the Five Gravest Transgressions always doubt and slander. They believe in demonic beings such as ghosts and gods.

 

They expect grace and blessings through praying to their gods and demons; but, they only experience more calamities and are jeopardized as a result.

 

They lie in bed for years because of sickness. Some are blind and deaf, and some are physically handicapped.

 

Why don’t they give up their devotion to these gods and demons and recite Amitabha’s Name? Amitabha’s vow power applies equally to all. Whoever directs his mind towards Amitabha will

receive and hold the lotus flowers in his hands.

 

By recitation of this single Name, they will be reborn in the land of joy and freedom, and dwell in peace without retrogression.

 

 

10.《法事讚》（善全451頁）： *21/23

A verse in the “In Praise of Dharma Practice”

世尊說法時將了，慇懃付囑彌陀名；

五濁增時多疑謗，道俗相嫌不用聞。

見有修行起瞋毒，方便破壞競生怨；

如此生盲闡提輩，毀滅頓教永沉淪。

超過大地微塵劫，未可得離三塗身；

大眾同心皆懺悔，所有破法罪因緣。

 

Wish to be reborn. Wish to be reborn.

When the time for the Honored One to teach the Dharma was nearly at an end, he sincerely and earnestly directed his students to disseminate Amitabha’s Name.

In this era, in which the five turbidites are increasing, there are more doubts about and slandering of the Dharma. Monastics and householders cast blame and do not listen to each other.

When they see people practicing the Dharma , their hatred is aroused and they attempt to hurt them. By accusing them of wicked deeds they sabotage Dharma practitioners through various means.

It is as if they are blind and have no virtuous roots. In this way they destroy the Sudden Teaching and it perishes forever.

Because of these actions and attitudes, they are unable to leave the Three Wretched Realms and suffer for countless eons. All people should sincerely repent for the karmic offenses of destroying the Dharma.

With great dedication the multitudes unanimously aspire to be reborn. Let’s hold fragrant flowers in our hands, and always offer them to the Buddha.

 

 

11.《法事讚》（善全460頁）： *22/23

A verse in the “In praise of Dharma Practice”

 

劫欲盡時五濁盛，眾生邪見甚難信；

專專指授歸西路，為他破壞還如故。

曠劫以來常如此，非是今生始自悟；

正由不遇好強緣，致使輪迴難得度。

今日今時聞要法，畢命為期誓堅固；

堅固持心不惜身，慚愧釋迦諸佛恩。

 

The Fivefold Turbidites flourish near the end of the Dharma-Ending Age

 

It is much more difficult for sentient beings with distorted and wicked views to believe the [Buddhist teachings].

 

Though people are compassionately advised to focus on the Pure Land Path , they disregard it and remain on their own paths.

 

Because people continue to practice non-Buddhist teachings, they will reincarnate for countless eons.

 

If they only developed faith in Amitabha’s fundamental vow, aspired to be reborn in his Pure Land, and exclusively recited Namo Amitabha Buddha, they would be delivered from reincarnation (within the Six Realms).

 

Each day they should be thankful for the grace of Shakyamuni Buddha and all Buddhas.

 

 

 

12.《往生禮讚》（善全487頁）： *23/23

A verse in the “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth”

 

恒願一切臨終時，勝緣勝境悉現前，

願睹彌陀大悲主，觀音勢至十方尊，

仰願神光蒙授手，乘佛本願生彼國。

 

I always wish that, near the end-of-life, all of the encounters that appear before me are splendid scenes under splendid circumstances.

 

I hope that I will see Amitabha, the Master of Great Compassion , Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta and all honorable sacred beings.

 

With my head up, I wish that Amitabha will emit his divine light and receive me with his hand; so that I can be reborn in his Pure Land with recourse to his Fundamental Vow.

 

 

13.《往生禮讚》（善全四八八頁）：*24/23

A verse in the “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth”

 

人間匆匆營眾務，不覺年命日夜去；

如燈風中滅難期，忙忙六道無定趣。

未得解脫出苦海，云何安然不驚懼；

各聞強健有力時，自策自勵求常住。

 

We deal with trivial daily matters quickly in the human world. We are not aware that time flies, day by day and year by year.

 

It is like candle light flickering in the wind, so difficult to keep burning. We have no important destinations within the busy Six Realms.

 

Since none of us can be liberated from the sea of suffering, how can we feel relaxed without any fear?

 

When each of us hears about the strong augmentative power [of Amitabha’s deliverance], we should urge ourselves to aspire to dwell in the permanent realm of Nirvana.

 

 

14.《往生禮讚》（善全504頁）： *25/23

A verse in the “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth”

 

自從無始受身來，恆以十惡加眾生；

不孝父母謗三寶，造作五逆不善業。

以是眾罪因緣故，妄想顛倒生纏縛；

應受無量生死苦，頂禮懺悔願滅除。

 

Ever since I received and accepted this body, it has committed the Ten Unwholesome Deeds that offend sentient beings.

 

I have no filial piety, slander the Three Jewels, committed the Five Gravest Transgressions and other non-virtuous deeds.

 

Because of all of these karmic offenses, I am a prisoner of my false and inverted thoughts.

 

I deserve to have the retribution of immeasurable suffering. I prostrate myself to the Buddha and repent, hoping my karmic offenses will be eradicated.

 

 

15.《往生禮讚》（善全505頁）：*26/23

A verse in the “In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth”

 

歷劫以來懷嫉妒，我慢放逸由癡生，

恒以瞋恚毒害火，焚燒智慧慈善根。

今日思惟始惺悟，發大精進隨喜心。

I have been jealous for countless eons.

 

My arrogance and caprice originate from my delusion.

 

The fires of hatred are poisonous, they burn my virtuous roots of wisdom and kindness.

 

After lifetimes of deep thought, today I am enlightened. With great vigor I set forth the mind of joyfulness.

 

 

16.《般舟讚》（善全545-546頁）： *27/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

般舟三昧樂，

三界六道苦難停， 曠劫以來常沒沒，

到處唯聞生死聲。 釋迦如來真報土，

清淨莊嚴無勝是； 為度娑婆分化入，

八相成佛度眾生。 或說人天二乘法，

或說菩薩涅槃因， 或漸或頓明空有，

人法二障遣雙除； 根性利者皆蒙益，

鈍根無智難開悟。 瓔珞經中說漸教，

萬劫修功證不退； 觀經彌陀經等說，

即是頓教菩薩藏。 一日七日專稱佛，

命斷須臾生安樂， 一入彌陀涅槃國，

即得不退證無生。 萬劫修功實難續，

一時煩惱百千間， 若待娑婆證法忍，

六道恒沙劫未期。 貪瞋即是輪迴業，

煩惱豈是無生因， 驗此貪瞋火燒苦，

不如走入彌陀國。 彌陀因地發心時，

頓捨王位求菩提， 饒王佛所落髮鬚，

出家修道名法藏， 四十八願因茲發，

一一誓願為眾生。

 

The joy of the Samadhi of Pratyutpanna

The suffering in the Three Domains and the Six Realms is difficult to stop,

Sentient beings are endlessly drowning (in the sea of suffering),

They hear the sounds of birth and death everywhere.

Shakyamuni Tathagata’s real reward land is incomparably pure.

He was able to split his body and manifest in the Land of Saha.

He was able to deliver sentient beings by becoming a Buddha with the Eight Marks.

At various times, he shared the Dharma of the human, celestial realms, and the Two Vehicles.

At other times, he shared the practices necessary for Bodhisattvas to attain Nirvana.

He also spoke of the Sudden and Gradual Teachings, and explained the teachings of Emptiness and Existence.

He cleared obstructions within people through the Dharma. Thus, all those with advanced capabilities were benefited.

For those with lesser capabilities, he shared the Gradual Teaching of the Jade Sutra.

In that way they could realize the State of Non-Retrogression after ten thousand eons of cultivation.

He also taught the Contemplation Sutra, the Amitabha Sutra, etc.,

Which are among the Sudden Teachings within the Bodhisattva Canon.

Those who exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name for one to seven days, can instantly be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy when their lives end.

It is exceedingly difficult for people to sustain their own cultivation for ten thousand eons,

Because they have hundreds and thousands of afflictions.

If they can persevere in their Dharma practices while in the Land of Saha,

They can expect to leave the Six Realms in as many eons as there are sands in the Ganges River

Greed and hatred are among the karmas that cause reincarnation.

How can these afflictions be the cause of the Perseverance of Non-Arising?

Why don’t those who experience the burning suffering of greed and hatred,

Simply go to the kingdom of Amitabha.

Amitabha aspired to attain perfect Enlightenment while in his causal ground.

He suddenly gave up his throne, became a monk called Dharmakara, and pursued the Bodhisattva practices as a student of Lokeshvararaja.

Because of his karmic circumstances, he made his famous 48 vows.

Each of them was made for the sake of delivering sentient beings.

 

 

17.《般舟讚》（善全547頁）：*28/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

一切如來設方便，亦同今日釋迦尊，

隨機說法皆蒙益，各得悟解入真門；

門門不同八萬四，為滅無明果業因，

利劍即是彌陀號，一聲稱念罪皆除。

 

Everything is pre-arranged by the Tathagata.

It is just like Shakyamuni Buddha did in his time.

He teaches the Dharma in accord with the aptitudes of sentient beings, so that all of them are benefited.

They are individually enlightened; but, enter the True Teaching together.

All 84,000 different teachings are expounded, for the purpose of extinguishing the karmic causes of ignorance.

A sharp sword is Amitabha's Name. It can eradicate all karmic offenses by even one recitation.

 

 

18.《般舟讚》（善全548頁）：*29/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

佛教多門八萬四，正為眾生機不同；

欲覓安身常住處，先求要行入真門。

門門不同名漸教，萬劫苦行證無生；

畢命為期專念佛，須臾命斷佛迎將。

一食之時尚有間，如何萬劫不貪瞋，

貪瞋障受人天路，三惡四趣內安身。

 

Because of the differences in aptitudes and capacities among sentient beings, there are as many as 84,000 teachings in Buddhism.

If a person wishes to find a dwelling place for eternal settlement, he should find the path that leads him to the True Teaching.

Though all teachings are different, these are called Gradual Teachings. It takes ten thousand eons to realize them through cultivation and hardship.

However, if a person exclusively recites Amitabha’s Name, he will be instantly welcomed and transported by the Buddha just before his last breath.

Just as it takes a certain amount of time to finish a meal, it takes a thousand eons to eliminate greed and hatred.

The path towards the human and heavenly realms are blocked by greed and hatred, and people are dragged into the Three Wretched Realms and the Four Paths.

 

 

19.《般舟讚》（善全五四九頁）：*30/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

微塵故業隨智滅，不覺轉入真如門；

大小僧祇恒沙劫，亦如彈指須臾間，

如此逍遙快樂處，更貪何事不求生。

縱使千年受五欲，增長地獄苦因緣；

貪瞋十惡相續起，豈是解脫涅槃因。

不畏三塗造眾罪，破滅三寶永沉淪；

不孝父母罵眷屬，地獄安身無出期。

 

Wisdom reduces our past karma to the size of a mote of dust; without even thinking, we turn around and enter the realm of ultimate reality.

Infinite kalpas are compressed into the single flick of a finger.

It is a place of happiness and freedom. Under what circumstances would we not aspire to be reborn there?

We have suffered from the Five Desires for thousands of years. These are the causal conditions that increase our suffering in hell.

Greed, hatred, and the Ten Unwholesome Acts arise one after the other, how can they be the cause of liberation in Nirvana?

People don’t fear the retribution they receive in the Three Wretched Realms due to various offenses, such as destroying the Three Jewels, that lead them to reincarnate forever.

They have no filial piety and scold their family members. Because of this they will live in various hells and never know the date of their release.

 

 

20.《般舟讚》（善全550頁）： *31/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

曠劫以來沉苦海，西方要法未曾聞；

雖得人身多有障，不受佛化反生疑。

六方如來慈悲極，同心同勸往西方；

長病遠行不計日，念佛即道無功夫。

如此之人難化度，無明被底且長眠。

 

Through countless eons, they (ordinary beings) have been drowning in the sea of suffering, because they haven’t heard the supremely important Dharma regarding the Western Pure Land.

 

Though they have human bodies, they also have abundant karmic obstructions. Because of this, they doubt the Buddha’s teaching and will not accept it.

 

The Buddhas in the ten directions are filled with compassion and unanimously urge them to be reborn in the West.

 

These poor beings must bear their illnesses day after day, and say we receive no rewards from reciting the Buddha’s name.

 

It is extremely difficult to awaken such people, because they have been asleep so long beneath the blanket of ignorance.

 

 

21.《般舟讚》（善全551頁）：*32/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

得此無生寶國地，皆是彌陀願力恩；

大眾同心厭此界，乘佛願力見彌陀。

忽爾思量心髓痛，無窮之劫枉疲勞；

自慶今身聞淨土，不惜身命往西方。

 

That we attain rebirth in the jeweled country, with no more births,

Is through the grace of Amitabha’s vow power.

The multitude should renounce this world together

And see Amitabha by relying on the power of his vow.

When we consider deeply we feel pain in our hearts.

We receive nothing by living in this world of hardship for countless eons.

We should greatly rejoice that we can hear the Pure Land teaching in this life!

We should dedicate our lives and strive for rebirth in the West.

 

 

22.《般舟讚》（善全555頁）： *33/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

道里雖遙不足到，彈指之間入寶池；

唯恨眾生疑不疑，淨土對面不相忤。

莫論彌陀攝不攝，意在專心迴不迴；

但使迴心決定向，臨終華蓋自來迎。

 

Though the goal of the Way seems so far away that it cannot be reached by walking, we can reach it in a flash of time.

It all depends on whether we sentient beings doubt or not.  The Pure Land is just on the other side of where we are facing, without any violent obstructions in our way.

Don’t worry whether Amitabha embraces you or not. We only need to aspire for rebirth and exclusively recite Amitabha’s Name.

If we are determined to dedicate ourselves to reaching the Pure Land, the Lotus platform will naturally come to welcome us near the end-of-life.

 

 

23.《般舟讚》（善全557頁）： *34/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

菩薩聲聞將見佛，禮佛一拜得無生；

彌陀告言諸佛子，極樂何如彼三界。

新往化生俱欲報，合掌悲咽不能言；

得免娑婆長劫苦，今日見佛釋迦恩。

Bodhisattvas and Sravakas will see Amitabha Buddha very soon.

They will attain the perseverance of no-birth once they bow to him.

Amitabha will tell all the “children of the Buddha”

How the Land of Bliss is different from that of the Three Domains.

All those who are newly reborn or have already been reborn, wish to repay his grace.

They are speechless and can only weep with joy!

All of their seemingly endless suffering in the Land of Saha is forever eliminated.

They realize it is through the grace of Shakyamuni that they can see Amitabha Buddha.

 

 

 

24.《般舟讚》（善全558頁）：*35/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

普勸同生知識等，同行相親莫相離。

父母妻兒百千萬，非是菩提增上緣，

念念相纏入惡道，分身受報不相知，

或在豬羊六畜內，披毛戴角何時了。

慶得人身聞要法，頓捨他鄉歸本國，

父子相見非常喜，菩薩聲聞亦復然。

 

I generally urge all good advisors who aspire to be reborn,

To not become too attached to those with whom you share intimate relationships.

There are hundreds and thousands of parents and children,

But they are not the augmentative causes of our awakening.

They become attached to each other, and together fall into the wretched realms.

Because they receive different bodies as karmic retribution, they will not even recognize each other.

They may be born as one of the six domestic animals, such as pigs and goats,

They may have feathers or horns and never know when their lives may end.

We should treasure having a human body and being able to hear this most important teaching.

We should be determined, to gladly leave the village in which we now live, and return to our home country.

It is very exciting when a father and son meet and recognize each other.

It is similar for Bodhisattvas and Sravakas

 

 

25.《般舟讚》（善全563頁）： *36/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

十方如來舒舌證，定判九品得還歸。

父子相迎入大會，即問六道苦辛事，

或有所得人天報，饑餓困苦體生瘡。

爾時彌陀及大眾，聞子說苦皆傷嘆；

彌陀告言諸佛子，自作自受莫怨他。

 

Tathagathas extend their tongues to attest,

And to confirm that all sentient beings, with different aptitudes within the nine levels, can return to their homeland.

The Father and his children bow to each other in the great assembly.

They ask about their painful experiences in the Six Realms.

Some have attained a human or heavenly karmic reward.

Some have suffered from starvation with their bodies covered with sores.

Upon hearing of these painful experiences, Amitabha and a multitude of beings sigh with deep compassion,

When they hear the children’s sad stories.

Amitabha tells all the children,

They should accept their consequences and not blame others.

 

 

26.《般舟讚》（善全574頁）： *37/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

不孝父母罵三寶，終時獄火自相迎；

毀辱六親破淨戒，亦墮如是泥犁中。

殺害眾生食他肉，直入泥犁火聚中；

見聞方便處分殺，如前受苦未何央。

劫盜三寶眾生物，一墮泥犁無出期；

偷劫父母六親物，亦入如是泥犁中。

 

Non-filial parents who criticized the Three Jewels

Received their retribution in the fires of hell when their lives ended.

Those who slander and insult their relatives, break the pure precepts and will fall into a hell realm.

If they kill sentient beings and eat their flesh

They will directly enter the fires of hell.

Those who see and hear about these actions indirectly participate in that killing.

They will receive similar punishment with no opportunity to make excuses.

Those who steal the property of the Three Jewels and other sentient beings,

Will receive the retribution of falling into hell with no date of release.

Those who steal the property of parents and relatives,

Will also be condemned to hell.

 

 

27.《般舟讚》（善全575頁）：*38/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

欺誑三寶眾生類，死入泥犁無出期；

惡口兩舌貪瞋慢，八萬地獄皆周遍；

論說他人三寶過，死入拔舌泥犁中。

普勸眾生護三業，行住坐臥念彌陀，

一切時中憶地獄，發起增上往生心，

誓願不作三塗業，人天樂報亦無心。

忽憶地獄長時苦，不捨須臾忘安樂，

安樂佛國無為地，畢竟安身實是精。

 

Those sentient beings who deceive and slander the Three Jewels

Will enter hell, with no date of release, after their deaths.

Using harsh language, speaking with two tongues, greed, hatred and arrogance

Will result in suffering in all 80,000 hells.

Those who gossip about and comment on the wrongdoings of the Three Jewels,

Will have their tongues wrenched out in hell.

I strongly urge sentient beings to protect the Three Dharmas.

Always recite Namo Amitabha while walking, standing, sitting, and lying down.

Never forget about the suffering in the various hells.

That will augment our aspiration to rebirth.

Let’s swear not to commit any of the karmic offenses of the Three Wretched Realms,

And do not become too attached to the rewards in the human and celestial realms.

Immediately remember the longlasting suffering in hell

And never question the Land of Peace and Joy simply because we didn’t instantly renounce this world.

The Land of Peace and Joy is an unconditioned Buddha-land.

It is the most marvelous realm for our final settlement.

 

 

28.《般舟讚》（善全575頁）： *39/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

淨土莊嚴無有盡，十方生者亦無窮，

千劫萬劫恒沙劫，一切去者不相妨，

十方眾生未曾減，彌陀佛國亦無增。

The adornments of the Pure Land are infinite.

Countless beings, from the worlds in the ten directions, will be reborn there.

All beings from past eons, in the hundreds and thousands, as many as the sands in the Ganges River.

It doesn’t matter how many. All can be reborn there and accommodated.

Actually, the number of sentient beings in the ten directions does not increase.

Neither does Amitabha’s Buddha-land diminish.

 

 

29.《般舟讚》（善全576頁）：*40/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

彌陀願力隨心大，四種莊嚴普皆遍，

三明六通常自在，遍入眾生心想中。

佛身相好依心起，隨念即現真金佛，

真金即是彌陀相，圓光化佛現人前。

 

Amitabha’s vow power varies with his mind,

All of his four kinds of adornments are universally spread.

His Three Knowings and Six Paranormal Powers can be freely manipulated,

In order to permeate the minds of sentient beings according to his will,

So that goodness and excellent marks arise within them.

He can instantly manifest a Buddha body of a truly golden color.

The magnificent golden rays are the marks of Amitabha.

Countless haloed Buddhas appear before those who accept his deliverance.

 

 

30.《般舟讚》（善全584頁）：*41/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

If you are really a disciple of the Buddha, you should act on what the Buddha

taught, and aspire to be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy.

 

You shouldn’t casually believe what others say, or follow other teachings to cure

illnesses.

 

若是釋迦真弟子，誓行佛語生安樂；

不得悠悠信他語，隨緣治病各依法。

 

 

31.《般舟讚》（善全584頁）： *42/23

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

If we hear this rare teaching filled with wonderful benefits, we must aspire to attain it, even if it means sacrificing our lives.

If we can exclusively practice it with no reservations, we will be instantly born in the Land of Bliss when our life ends.

 

若聞此法稀奇益，不顧身命要求得；

若能專行不惜命，命斷須臾生安樂。

 

 

32.《般舟讚》（善全587頁）： *01/24

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

下品上生凡夫等，具造十惡無餘善，

增長無明但快意，見他修福生非毀，

如此愚人難覺悟，良由知識惡強緣。

唯知目前貪酒肉，不覺地獄盡抄名，

一入泥犁受長苦，始憶人中善知識。

罪人臨終得重病，神識昏狂心倒亂，

地獄芬芬眼前現，白汗流出手把空。

如此困苦誰能救，會是知識彌陀恩。

手執香爐教懺悔，教令合掌念彌陀，

一聲稱佛除眾苦，五百萬劫罪消除，

化佛菩薩尋聲到，我故持華迎汝來。

 

Ordinary beings at the upper level of the low tier

Commit the Ten Unwholesome Deeds and have no virtue.

Their ignorance swiftly and naturally increases,

And they slander those who practice virtuous conduct.

Such a fool is difficult to awaken,

Because they have strong karmic connections with their wicked friends.

They only know the liquor and meat in front of them,

And are not aware that their names are already included in the list of hell beings.

After a person has suffered in hell for a very long time,

He starts to remember his good advisors in the human realm.

The sinner has a serious illness near the end-of-life,

He acts as if he’s crazy and loses consciousness.

Scenes of hell appear in his mind.

Possessed by fear, his sweating hands grasp nothing but air.

Who can help him with this dilemma?

Through the grace of Amitabha he encounters a good advisor,

Who teaches him to repent while lighting incense,

And to recite Namo Amitabha with joined palms.

All kinds of suffering are relieved by even one recitation of the Buddha’s Name.

All of his karmic offenses accumulated in the past 5 million eons are eradicated.

The manifested Buddhas and Bodhisattvas arrive upon hearing his recitations,

And welcome him to Amitabha’s Pure Land while holding a lotus flower.

 

 

33.《般舟讚》（善全588頁）： *02/24

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

地獄猛火皆來逼，當時即值善知識，

發大慈悲教念佛，地獄猛火變風涼；

天華旋轉隨風落，化佛菩薩乘華上。

 

When the terrible fires of hell come to threaten him,

At this critical moment he is fortunate to meet a good advisor.

With a compassionate mind, he teaches him to recite Amitabha’s Name.

The fires of hell become a cool breeze.

The celestial flowers come whirling down with the wind.

You join the manifested buddhas and bodhisattvas and ascend on their lotus platform.

 

 

34.《般舟讚》（善全591頁）：*03/24

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

普勸十方生死界，同心斷惡盡須來；

一入涅槃常住國，徹窮後際更何憂。

念念時中常證悟，十地行願自然成；

地地慈悲巧方便，以佛為師無錯悟。

 

Amitabha universally invites all sentient beings of the ten directions, in the realm of birth-and-death,

All of you must come to my land, in order to eliminate all of your evils at once.

Once a person dwells in the Land of Nirvana,

Throughout infinite time and boundless space he will never worry again.

His every thought, at all times, is fully enlightened.

The vows and practices of the ten bodhisattva grounds are naturally accomplished,

With perceptive expedience and compassion in every ground.

They are never mistaken because they rely upon the Buddha’s teachings.

 

 

35.《般舟讚》（善全591頁）：*04/24

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

定善一門韋提請，散善一行釋迦開； 定散俱迴入寶國，即是如來異方便。

 

The teaching of meditative virtues was requested by Queen Vaidehi,

But the teaching of non-meditative virtues was given by Shakyamuni at his own discretion.

One should dedicate the practices of meditative and non-meditative virtues for rebirth in the land of treasure.

They are the alternative expedient means given by the Tathagata.

 

36.《般舟讚》（善全572頁）： *05/24

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

慎莫輕心縱三業，業道分明不可欺。

 

Be cautious and do not make light of the consequences from the threefold karma,

We can not afford to take advantage of one another, as the karmic law is clearly in effect.

 

 

37.《般舟讚》（善全590頁）： *06/24

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

寧合金華百千劫，不能地獄須臾間。

 

I would rather stay inside the golden flower for hundreds and thousands of eons,

Rather than going to hell in an instant.

 

38.《般舟讚》（善全562頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

何期今日至寶國，實是娑婆本師力， *07/24

若非本師知識勸，彌陀淨土云何入。

 

How wonderful we can reach the treasure land today.

It is actually the power of our fundamental teacher, Shakyamuni.

If it is not the fundamental teacher’s advice to urge us,

How can we be reborn in Amitabha’s Pure Land?

 

39.《般舟讚》（善全571頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

得免娑婆長劫難，特蒙知識釋迦恩； *08/24

種種思量巧方便，選得彌陀弘誓門。

 

Being freed after suffering in the Land of Saha for eons,

Is through the grace of Shakyamuni Buddha, our good advisor;

Shakyamuni thought of and employed various skillful means,

To lead us to the Path of Amitabha’s Great Vow.

 

 

40.《般舟讚》（善全554頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

不因釋迦如來力，彌陀淨土若為聞。*09/24

 

If not for the efforts of Tathagata Shakyamuni,

We would have no way to hear about Amitabha and his Pure Land.

 

41.《般舟讚》（善全590頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

若非釋迦勸念佛，彌陀淨土何由見。*10/24

 

If Shakyamuni Buddha were not urging us to recite Amitabha’s name,

How would we be able to see Amitabha and his Pure Land?

 

42.《般舟讚》（善全557頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

得免娑婆長劫苦，今日見佛釋迦恩。*11/24

 

We can now be liberated from the many kinds of suffering in the Land of Saha,

By being introduced to Amitabha Buddha, through the grace of Shakyamuni.

 

 

43.《般舟讚》（善全552頁）： *12/24

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

遇值往生善知識，得聞淨土彌陀名。*12/24

 

Being open to a good advisor who teaches us about rebirth,

We can hear the name of Amitabha and his Pure Land.

 

44.《般舟讚》（善全588頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

若非知識教稱佛，如何得入彌陀國。*13/24

If we don’t meet a good advisor who teaches us to recite Amitabha’s Name, how can we attain rebirth in Amitabha’s Pure Land?

 

 

45.《般舟讚》（善全587頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

如此困苦誰能救，會是知識彌陀恩。*14/24

 

What can save us during difficult circumstances?

You should know it is the grace of Amitabha.

 

46.《般舟讚》（善全562頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

不蒙彌陀弘誓力，何時何劫出娑婆。 *15/24

Without being open to the great power of Amitabha’s vow, during which time or eon will we be able to leave the Land of Saha?

 

47.《般舟讚》（善全551頁）：

A verse in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

得此無生寶國地，皆是彌陀願力恩。*16/24

 

We can be reborn in the treasure land with no further rebirths,

Entirely through the grace and power of Amitabha’s vow.

 

 

48.《般舟讚》「感恩偈」（善全807頁）：*17/24

Verse of Grace in the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

得生淨土報師恩 相續念佛報慈恩

特蒙知識釋迦恩 唯知慚賀釋迦恩

碎身慚謝釋迦恩 碎身慚謝報慈恩

長劫讚佛報慈恩 長時長劫報慈恩

報佛慈恩心無盡 念報慈恩常頂戴

 

Because they taught me how to attain rebirth in the Pure Land, I feel deep gratitude to my teachers. I recite Amitabha’s Name in order to repay the gift of their kindness.

I especially feel deep gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha, who is my good advisor; and, I am more than happy to offer my gratitude to him for teaching me to be humble.

I am thankful for Shakyamuni’s grace and boundless compassion which taught me to be humble; so, I prostrated before him.

I have praised the Buddha for a long time in order to repay his kindness; and, I will continue to be thankful for his kindness for many eons.

My gratitude for Amitabha Buddha’s compassion comes from the deepest levels of my mind; and, I always try to be aware of his compassionate presence just above my head.

 

49.《般舟讚》（善全544頁）：

An excerpt from the ‘In Praise of Pratyutpanna’

 

生盲信業走，隨業墮深坑；

縱此貪瞋火，自損損他人；

長沒無明海，遇木永無緣。*18/24

 

Being blind in truth, we believe our karmic actions to reincarnate,

Thus we follow our karma to fall in the deep trench.

Setting the fire of greed and hatred,

We harm ourselves and other people.

We submerge in the sea of ignorance,

Without any condition to come across the piece of [floating] wooden board.

 

50.《往生禮讚》（善全490頁）：

An excerpt from the ‘In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth

 

時光遷流轉，忽至五更初，

無常念念至，恒與死王居，

勸諸行道者，勤修至無餘。 *19/24

 

Time passes, flows and turns, and comes to the early morning suddenly.

Be mindful of death, as it comes in a thought of time. We always live with the Death King,

All practitioners are advised to cultivate diligently in full strength.

 

51.《往生禮讚》（善全490頁）：

An excerpt from the the ‘In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth’

 

人生不精進，喻若樹無根；

採華置日中，能得幾時鮮。

人命亦如是，無常須臾間；

勸諸行道眾，勤修乃至真。*20/24

 

We are not diligent in progress, like the tree with no roots.

Also like picking a flower and putting it under the sun, how long can it be kept fresh?

Our life is the same, because death comes in a flash of time;

It is advised to all practitioners, monastic and householder, to cultivate diligently until realization of truth.

 

 52.《往生禮讚》（善全505頁）：

An excerpt from the ‘In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth’

 

流浪三界內，癡愛入胎獄；

生已歸老死，沉沒於苦海。

我今修此福，迴生安樂土。*21/24

 

I wander within the Three Domains, and enter the jail of womb because of delusion and cravings;

Birth has resulted in aging and death, and we are drowned in the sea of sufferings.

I now cultivate this blessing, and dedicate it to rebirth in the Land of Peace and joy.

 

53.《往生禮讚》（善全五○六頁）：

A paragraph in the ‘In Praise of the Rite of Rebirth’

 

願捨胎藏形，往生安樂國；

速見彌陀佛，無邊功德身。

奉覲諸如來，賢聖亦復然；

獲六神通力，救攝苦眾生。

虛空法界盡，我願亦如是。*22/24

 

I vow to renounce the birth by womb in this world, but vow to be reborn in the Land of Peace and Joy.

So that I can see Amitabha Buddha very soon, who has a body of boundless merit and virtues.

By order, I visit all buddhas, and the benevolent and sacred beings as well;

Hence, I attain the Six Paranormal Powers, to deliver and embrace sentient beings in sufferings.

My vows will be as extensive as the empty space in the Dharma Realm.