念佛鏡 1.24

1.24

Now, the Buddha is the Great Teacher of the three realms, the Compassionate Father of the four forms of birth. For those who take refuge and have faith, sins [numerous as] sands of the Ganges are extinguished; for those who recite his name, merit and blessings are immeasurable. Whenever one wishes to practice buddhānusmṛti, one must arouse faith; if one lacks faith, one will vainly gain nothing. Therefore the sūtra states: "Thus" is the mark of faith. Faith is the initial tenet for entering the Way; wisdom is the ultimate marvelous method. At first uttering "thus" is faith; later stating "faithfully practice" is wisdom. Therefore the *Amitābha-sūtra* says: "If there are those who have faith, they should make the vow to be born in that land." This is where our original teacher Śākyamuni exhorted faith. That sūtra also states: "You should believe this praise of inconceivable merit." This is where the Buddhas of the six directions exhorted faith. Moreover, a sūtra states: "Accord with this sūtra, and through faith one gains entrance." This is where the *Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra* exhorted faith. It also states: "If a person plants roots of virtue, if they doubt, the flower will not open; for those whose faithful mind is pure, when the flower opens they immediately see the Buddha." This is where the *Daśabhūmika-vibhāṣā* (*Shizhu lun*) exhorted faith. Furthermore: "If a person has no trust, they cannot be established; a carriage without collar-bars cannot move." This is where non-Buddhist writings exhorted faith. Also: "If there is faith, the principle spoken accords [with truth]; when it accords, the way of teacher and disciple is accomplished; whether a sūtra is extensive or concise, without faith it is not transmitted." This is where Dharma Master Sengzhao exhorted faith. Preceptor Daxing said: "The dharma gate of buddhānusmṛti does not ask whether one is monastic or lay, male or female, noble or base, poor or rich—it only requires having faith." This is where Preceptor Daxing exhorted faith.