淨土或問 1.28

1.28

Question: "Regarding the gate of buddhānusmṛti, receiving much guidance, all doubts are fully resolved and right faith has appeared before me. However, as for the aforementioned 'shaking awake body and mind and casting aside worldly affairs,' if among people in this worldly net there are those whose circumstances and conditions are favorable and whose bodies and minds are at ease, they can practice in accordance with this. For those whose worldly affairs do not permit being cast aside, how should they be instructed?"

Answer: "If a person in the worldly net deeply contemplates impermanence and applies the mind sincerely, then regardless of pain or pleasure, adversity or prosperity, quietude or clamor, leisure or busyness—whether handling public or private duties, welcoming guests or entertaining visitors, amid the entanglements of myriad conditions and social obligations on all sides—these do not hinder his practicing buddhānusmṛti. Have you not seen the ancient say: 'Morning is Amitābha, evening is Amitābha; / Even if busy as an arrow, do not depart from Amitābha.' And also: 'Dense bamboo does not obstruct the flowing water; / High mountains how could they block the white clouds' flight?'

For those whose worldly ties are somewhat heavy and whose strength is somewhat light, they must also steal leisure amid busyness and find quiet amid clamor, reciting every day thirty thousand, ten thousand, three thousand, or one thousand recitations as their daily practice, not allowing a single day to pass by. Furthermore, for those who are extremely busy without a moment of leisure, every morning they must perform the ten recitations; with long accumulation of effort, this will also not be in vain.

Besides buddhānusmṛti, reciting sūtras, bowing to the Buddha, repenting, making vows, establishing all kinds of affinity, making all kinds of blessings, and giving according to one's capacity, one should cultivate various wholesome merits to aid it; every fine hair of goodness must be dedicated toward the Western Land. Practicing in this manner, not only is rebirth certain, but one's grade of rebirth will also be elevated."