樂邦文類 4.128

4.128

修淨業者，須每日清晨服飾已後，面西正立合掌，連聲稱阿彌陀佛，盡氣為一念。如是十氣，名為十念。但隨氣長短，不限佛數，惟長惟久氣極為度。其佛聲不高不低、不緩不急，調停得中。如此十氣連屬不斷，意在令心不散，專精為功故。名此為十念者，顯是藉氣束心也。盡此一生，不得一日暫廢。唯將不廢，自要其心，必生彼國。作此念已，發願迴向云：

One who cultivates pure karma must, every morning after dressing, face west, stand upright with palms joined, and continuously recite Amitābha Buddha, taking an entire breath as one recitation. Ten such breaths are called the 'ten recitations.' Simply follow the length of the breath without limiting the count of buddhas; taking the utmost length, duration, and limit of breath as the standard. The voice reciting the buddha should be neither high nor low, neither slow nor fast, attuned to the middle. With ten such breaths joined continuously without interruption, the intention is to prevent the mind from scattering, taking exclusive concentration as the achievement. Calling this 'ten recitations' shows that it relies on the breath to restrain the mind. Throughout this entire life, one must not neglect it for even a single day. Only by not neglecting it and committing one's own mind will one definitely be reborn in that land. Having made this recitation, make the vow and dedication, saying: