摩訶止觀 2.7

2.7

Regarding the mouth's speech and silence: if from sitting one becomes utterly exhausted, or is beset by illness, or is covered by the hindrance of sleep, so that internal and external obstacles invade and seize away the mind of correct mindfulness, and one cannot cast them off, one should single-mindedly recite the name of a single Buddha with shame and repentance, taking refuge with one's life; its merit is equal to reciting the names of the Buddhas of the ten directions. Why is this? Just as when a person is sorrowful, joyful, depressed, or frustrated, raising the voice in singing or weeping brings release to grief or joy, so it is with the practitioner. The wind touching seven places forms bodily action; sound emerging from the lips forms vocal action; these two can assist the mind in generating responsiveness, moving the Buddha to descend. Just as when a person pulls a heavy load and cannot advance by his own strength, but receiving assistance from the side feels it lifted lightly, so it is with the practitioner. When the mind is weak and cannot repel obstacles, by calling on the name and requesting protection, evil conditions cannot destroy him. If one has not yet understood the Dharma gates, one should draw close to those who understand prajñā and cultivate and learn as heard; then one can enter the one-practice samādhi, see the Buddhas face to face, and ascend to the bodhisattva stages. Chanting sūtras and reciting dhāraṇīs are still too noisy for stillness; how much more so worldly talk?