釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 9.35

9.35

次釋八念法門。所言八念者：一、念佛；二、念法；三、念僧；四、念戒；五、念捨；六、念天；七、念入出息；八、念死。此八通稱念者，一心緣中，憶持不忘失故，名之為念。今釋八念，即為三意：一、明教門所為；二、明修證；三、明趣道之相。

Next, explaining the Dharma gate of the eight recollections. The so-called eight recollections are: first, recollection of the Buddha; second, recollection of the Dharma; third, recollection of the Saṃgha; fourth, recollection of morality; fifth, recollection of giving; sixth, recollection of the deities; seventh, recollection of inhalation and exhalation; eighth, recollection of death. These eight are all termed 'recollection' because single-mindedly focusing on an object, one remembers and retains it without forgetting; therefore it is named 'recollection'. Now, in explaining the eight recollections, there are three points: first, explaining the purpose of the scriptural teaching; second, explaining cultivation and realization; third, explaining the characteristics of leading to the Path.