往生禮讚偈 1.3

1.3

Respectfully relying on the Larger Sūtra and the verses of worship and praise for rebirth composed by Nāgārjuna, Vasubandhu, and śramaṇas of this land, I have gathered them in one place and divided them into six periods of the day, solely desiring that through continuous focusing of the mind they may aid in accomplishing the benefit of rebirth, and also wishing to awaken those who have not yet heard, extending the benefit far into future generations. What are they? First: respectfully relying on the Larger Sūtra, in which Śākyamuni and the Buddhas of the ten directions praise the twelve radiant names of Amitābha, urging that reciting, worshipping, and being mindful of them will definitely bring rebirth in that land; nineteen prostrations, to be performed at sunset. Second: respectfully relying on the Larger Sūtra, gathering essential passages to form verses of worship and praise; twenty-four prostrations, to be performed at the beginning of the night. Third: respectfully relying on Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna’s verses of worship and praise aspiring for rebirth; sixteen prostrations, to be performed in the middle of the night. Fourth: respectfully relying on Bodhisattva Vasubandhu’s verses of worship and praise aspiring for rebirth; twenty prostrations, to be performed at the end of the night. Fifth: respectfully relying on Dharma Master Yancong’s verses of worship and praise aspiring for rebirth; twenty-one prostrations, to be performed at dawn. Sixth: the śramaṇa Shandao’s verses of worship and praise aspiring for rebirth, respectfully composed in reliance upon the sixteen contemplations; twenty prostrations, to be performed at noon.