念佛三昧寶王論 2.26

2.26

I reply: “It is indeed as you ask, yet vocal sound is also not flawed; let me try to explain it. Why? The essential technique for dispelling distraction lies in sound. If the voice is not vigorous, the mind is timid and drifts without stability. If the voice is vigorous, it uproots weeds with their tangled roots, driving them forward; facing them once with one’s whole life, one permanently bids farewell to a hundred sorrows. This is the first meaning. Taken closer at hand, wherever the sound and light reach, ten thousand misfortunes melt away like ice; the grove of merit and virtue flourishes like pines on a thousand hills. This is the second meaning. Spoken from afar, the golden countenance sparkles and scatters radiance, and jeweled flowers shower gently from the sky; as clearly as pointing to one's palm, all are brought about by sound. This is the third meaning. Just as when dragging heavy timber and stones they are burdensome and cannot advance, but when a mighty shout rings out, they are lifted lightly and easily. This is the fourth meaning. When battling the demon armies, with banners and drums facing each other, using vocal martial tunes upon the war chariots, one decisively destroys the powerful enemy. This is the fifth meaning. Possessing these various meanings, why should it be reviled? Is it not better when clamor and quiet are both preserved, śamatha and vipaśyanā are jointly exercised, according with the buddha’s intention? If calm and discernment are balanced, then both forgetting mind and buddha will truly be as you have said. Therefore Master Yuan of Mount Lu’s ‘Preface to the Buddhānusmṛti-samādhi’ states: ‘Its merit is high and progress is easy; buddha-mindfulness comes first.’ When examining how the profound sound strikes the heart, upon hearing it, defiling burdens are melted away and stagnant feelings become harmoniously luminous. If it were not the supreme marvel of the world, who could take part in this? As for clear evidence, it is best shown by the verse in the Avataṃsaka Sūtra: