四明尊者教行錄 1.121

1.121

原夫一念本融、諸法無礙，遇熏既異，感報成差。是以順性而修，則顯諸佛淨土；隨情而作，則循五趣苦輪。所以處娑婆者，升出尤難，墮落者眾。故經云：得人身者如爪上土，失人身者如大地土。直待三乘行備，方免四趣受生。蓋境界麁強、煩惱熾盛，自力求脫實難其人。若夫生安養者，國土莊嚴、身心清淨，直至成佛不墮三塗。經云：尚無惡道之名，何況有實。又云：眾生生者，皆是阿鞞跋致。若欲生彼，但當稱彼佛號、修彼佛慈，必為彼佛本願攝取，捨此報身定生彼國。具如經說，實匪臆談。今結萬人以為一社，心心繫念、日日要期，每歲仲春同集一處，同修供養、同聽法音，會彼萬心以為一志。俾成定業誓取往生。況報得命光其猶風燭，一息不至，三塗現前，何得自寬不思來報？當依佛語，無順人情，頓息攀緣，唯勤念佛。謹疏。

Originally, a single thought is intrinsically interfused and all dharmas are unimpeded; yet, as the perfuming encountered differs, the recompense induced results in divergence. Therefore, if one cultivates in accord with the nature, the pure lands of the buddhas are manifested; if one acts following passions, one revolves in the painful wheel of the five destinies. Thus, for those dwelling in the Sahā world, ascending and escaping is exceptionally difficult, while those who fall are many. Hence the sūtra says: “Those who attain a human body are like the dirt upon a fingernail; those who lose a human body are like the dirt of the great earth.” Only when the practices of the three vehicles are complete can one escape birth in the four destinies. For objective realms are coarse and overpowering, and afflictions are blazing; relying on self-power to seek liberation is truly difficult to find in anyone. As for being born in the Land of Peaceful Nurture: its realm is adorned, and body and mind are pure; straight until achieving buddhahood, one does not fall into the three miserable paths. A sūtra says: “There is not even the name of evil destinies, let alone the reality.” It also says: “All sentient beings born there are avaivartika.” If one wishes to be born there, one need only recite that Buddha's name and cultivate that Buddha's compassion; one will surely be gathered in by that Buddha's original vow, and casting off this retribution body, one will definitely be born in that land. This is completely as spoken in the sūtras and is truly no fabricated talk. Now we unite ten thousand people into a single society, holding the mindfulness from thought to thought and keeping daily engagements; every year in mid-spring we gather together in one place, jointly cultivate offerings, jointly listen to the Dharma sound, and unite those ten thousand minds into a single aspiration, causing it to become determinate karma and vowing to achieve rebirth. Moreover, the light of life obtained through retribution is like a candle in the wind: if one breath fails to arrive, the three miserable paths appear before us; how could one indulge oneself and not consider future retribution? One ought to rely on the Buddha's words, not follow human sentiments, suddenly cease external graspings, and solely be diligent in reciting the Buddha's name. Respectfully presented.