諸經要集 2.5

2.5

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。善足使幽靈欣躍。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。書寫一言功超累劫。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。

I have heard that quiescent cessation is unmoving, and thus without form and without words; yet responding to stimulus it penetrates through, and so there are names and teachings. Therefore, a four-line verse is difficult to hear, while the fire of the trichiliocosm is easy to enter. May it be that in the freezing cold and quiet night, under the bright moon during the long hours, dwelling alone in leisure, one recites the scriptures, voicing the musical tones, with words clear and distinct and the flavor of the phrases flowing beautifully, the cadence and rhymes harmonizing to please the hearts of the multitude, benefiting the goodness of living beings! This is sufficient to make dark spirits leap with joy and minds feel delight. With long practice and mastery, the text and meaning are thoroughly understood, and with reverent mind one recites with earnest devotion, his utmost sincerity secretly moving [the unseen]. Indeed we know that upholding a single verse brings vast and profound blessings, and copying a single word produces merit surpassing accumulated kalpas. Thus Kāśyapa received it on his crown without begrudging flaying his skin, and Sattva rejoiced in his heart without hesitating to shed his blood. This is the initial portal of the nectar and the ultimate virtue of entering the Path.