往生淨土決疑行願二門 1.14

1.14

Second, the Gate of Correctly Cultivating Practice and Vows is briefly divided into four gates: first, the gate of prostration and repentance; second, the gate of ten recitations; third, the gate of binding oneself to conditions; and fourth, the gate of numerous merits. As for why there are only four gates, cultivating completely and sufficiently requires only these four. Why? First, prostrating to the Buddha and repenting purifies and removes karmic hindrances, rendering body and mind immaculate; thus, the first gate is like clearing a fertile field. Next, cultivating the ten recitations focuses the mind to establish practice, making vows and setting resolutions to plant the primary cause for rebirth; thus, the second gate is like sowing seeds. Next, causing the mind to be tied [to this] cherishes, protects, nourishes, and promotes the sprouting of stems; thus, the third gate is like watering with fertile rain. Next, relying on numerous merits assists in making them lush and luxuriant, causing them swiftly to bear flowers and fruit; thus, the fourth gate is like irrigating with rich fertilizer. Therefore, know that those who can fully cultivate these four practices are the most superior and supreme. However, although their interdependence is such, if one has little leisure, merely cultivating three, two, or one of them according to ability will still lead to rebirth in that land, because within each of the four gates there are practice and vows, and all are primary causes. Furthermore, one may also cultivate the method of prostration and repentance on the six vegetarian days, and cultivate the method of ten recitations every day, since the ten recitations are an essential and urgent pure cause that must never be abandoned, while the latter two gates may be practiced according to one's capacity. Otherwise, one may simply practice according to one's desires and free will. The four gates will now be explained.