法苑珠林 17.33

17.33

蓋聞。寂滅不動。是則無象無言。感而遂通。所以有名有教。是以一四之句難聞。三千之火易入。庶使凝寒靜夜。朗月長宵獨處空閑。吟誦經典吐納宮商。文字分明言味流美。詞韻相屬適眾人心。利生物善足使幽靈欣曜精神悅豫。久習純熟文義洞曉。敬心殷誦至誠冥感。信知受持一偈福利弘深。書寫一言功超數劫。是以迦葉頂受靡悋剝皮。薩陀心樂無辭灑血。此是甘露之初門。入道之終德也。

It is heard that quiescent extinction is unmoving, and is thus without form and without words; yet when stimulated, it immediately penetrates, and therefore there are names and teachings. For this reason, a single four-line verse is hard to hear, while the fire of the three-thousandfold world is easy to enter. May it be that in the freezing cold of a quiet night, under the bright moon of a long eve, dwelling alone in an empty and tranquil retreat, one intones the scriptures, producing the notes of gong and shang. With clear characters and fluent, delightful phrasing, the words and rhymes harmonize together to gladden the minds of all. Benefiting living beings and cultivating good, it is sufficient to make the unseen spirits rejoice and the vital energies delight. Practicing long until thoroughly proficient, the text and meaning are profoundly understood; reciting earnestly with a reverent mind, utmost sincerity elicits unseen resonance. Truly we know that upholding a single verse brings vast and deep blessings, and copying a single word produces merit surpassing many kalpas. Therefore, Kāśyapa received it upon his crown without begrudging flaying his skin; and Sadāprarudita, with joyful heart, did not refuse to sprinkle his blood. This is the initial gateway to the sweet dew [of the Dharma], and the ultimate virtue in entering the Way.