樂邦文類 4.135

4.135

The Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'Even if for one month one constantly provided all sentient beings with offerings of food and clothing, it would not equal a sixteenth part of the merit obtained by a person who is mindful of the Buddha for a single thought. Even if one forged gold into human figures, conveyed them on carts and horses, and gave them in charity along with various precious gems each numbering a full hundred, it would not equal raising a foot to take a single step with a mind directed toward the Buddha. Even if a person loaded large elephant carts to the full with all kinds of rare treasures and necklaces from the land of Daqin, each numbering a full hundred, and gave them in charity, it would still not equal raising a foot to take a single step with a mind directed toward the Buddha. If one offered the four requisites to all sentient beings in the trichiliocosm, it would still not equal the immeasurable and boundless merit obtained by raising a foot to take a single step with a mind directed toward the Buddha' (end of scriptural passage). I generally urge faithful men and women at home: every morning, after dressing, with a purified mind behold and bow to the Buddha image, no different from seeing the true Buddha; do not let a single day pass in vain. Even if busy with public or private affairs, you must still set your mind to enter the Buddha hall briefly, burn incense, and carry [the teachings] upon your head; what is prized is taking a single step toward the Buddha. If you have leisure, morning and evening do not abandon it, regardless of early or late. Please consider the merit of being mindful of the Buddha for a single thought and taking a single step toward the Buddha, which is exceptionally sublime like this. How much more so taking step after step and thought after thought, circumambulating in buddha-mindfulness: the sinful hindrances eradicated and the merit obtained are inconceivable!