淨土五會念佛略法事儀讚 1.15

1.15

Ah, how great! The ultimate principle and true Dharma are of one suchness, yet the vast vows to transform beings and benefit people are distinct. Thus our Śākyamuni manifested his birth in a turbid realm, while Amitābha appeared in the Pure Land; while the pure and the defiled are distinct, their benefits are identical. If we speak of ease of practice and ease of realization, truly there is only the Pure Land teaching gate. That Western realm is wonderfully exquisite beyond compare: its land is adorned with a hundred jewels, and lotuses bloom in nine grades to gather beings. Its name can dispel a thousand calamities, and its tones open the five gatherings to attract beings. Therefore, for those who recite his name, all the buddhas of the ten directions constantly protect them; for those who vow to be born in his land, wondrous flowers and five-colored clouds vie to bear their seats. Thus we know that Amitābha's compassionate vows are inconceivable; they truly open the horizontal gate out of the three realms and cut off the direct path through the four modes of birth. For this reason, buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges extend their tongues to bear witness, encouraging mindfulness of Amitābha to cause beings to be born in the Buddha land. If this pure teaching were not proclaimed by the Buddha everywhere, how could those who have not heard be made to hear, and those who have not seen be made to see? The intention of mindfulness of the Buddha today lies precisely in this. We only pray that Śakra and Brahmā will protect the world, defend the nation, and guard the people; that the devas, nāgas, and the eight classes of beings will harmonize the wind and rain. We humbly pray that the Emperor's wheel treasure will fly forth, weapons be sheathed and armor put away; that Shun's benevolence will moisten the myriad states afar, and Yao's moral breeze be fully present across the eight wild regions; that the Crown Prince's renown will roar like repeated thunder, the princes' resolves be firm as bedrock, and the princesses' silver pavilions radiate brilliance; that the ministers and chancellors will forever bring stability, the balance of high office be free of war, credentials and axes shine with lasting radiance, and they will eternally assist under Yao's skies. May the bureau directors and censors soar like clouds through the ministries, and their stars reflect upon the heavenly terrace; may the great generals' high insignia flourish with honors daily renewed, surpassing a hundred victories at the terrace; may senior officials have steeds diverse as camel hues and robes rich with embroidered patterns; and may governors and magistrates assist in governance and share burdens, their pure reputations resounding afar. May the Dhyāna Masters have the water of samādhi clear and still, the river of dhyāna cleanly purified, their compassionate breeze unceasing, and their sun of wisdom eternally suspended. May the Dharma Masters have the mountain of the Way grow ever loftier, the ocean of wisdom ever deeper, dwelling long among humans and devas, constantly acting as boats and oars. May the Vinaya Masters have their jewel of precepts ever pure, bearing no shame before the principle of illuminating the chariot; may the pond of samādhi ever remain serene, in no way inferior to the green waters of Canglang. May the Three Directors of this monastery shine brightly, their brahmic conduct long peaceful within the vehicle's gate, the assembly receiving their pure breeze, and the monastery's dwellings harmonizing like water and milk. May the various ācāryas be perfectly illuminated in the three trainings, their lamp of wisdom shining for long, and vow to propagate this teaching so that all go together to the Pure Land. May the assembly of nuns have their moon of precepts ever bright, their spirits concentrated in samādhi, the tree of the Way forever springlike, and the flower of enlightenment ever blooming. May the gentlemen have blessings pouring down like mountains, their longevity matching the cedrela tree and the crane; may the ladies and wives have jade-like countenances of perpetual spring, unchanging for a thousand autumns. May the pure believing men and women have their karmic burdens numerous as the sands of the Ganges melt like ice upon hearing the Buddha's name, and their immeasurable fields of merit increase along with mindfulness of the Buddha; may their contemplative practice be accomplished, samādhi become manifest, and whether sitting or walking, may they constantly see all buddhas. Furthermore, we pray that the sun of the Buddha hangs high, the wheel of the Dharma be greatly turned, suffering cease in the dark paths, and minds find peace in the monasteries; that whatever the hopeful desire, no wish will go unfulfilled, and whatever is longed for will be promptly achieved. May all beings endowed with sentience and consciousness transcend the causes of contaminated existence together, and may those in this realm and other directions all vow to be reborn together in Peace and Bliss. Amitābha Buddha's ocean of blessings is boundless; let the great assembly piously and universally recite Amitābha Buddha.