淨土五會念佛誦經觀行儀卷中．下 2.45

2.45

The bliss of pratyutpanna-samādhi: (May we be reborn there)
With focused mind reciting the Buddha's name, one beholds Amitābha. (Immeasurable bliss)
Universally I exhort all to turn their minds and be born in the Pure Land; (May we be reborn there)
Turning the mind to recite the Buddha's name, one is immediately born along with them. (Immeasurable bliss)
Since vast kalpas past, we have drifted for long, (May we be reborn there)
Following conditions through the six destinies, undergoing saṃsāra. (Immeasurable bliss)
If one does not encounter a good spiritual friend of rebirth, (May we be reborn there)
Who could exhort one to return? (Immeasurable bliss)
Remembering the temporary bliss experienced in the heavenly halls: (May we be reborn there)
When merits are exhausted, at the end of life the five signs of decay appear. (Immeasurable bliss)
Remembering the suffering of the womb experienced among humans: (May we be reborn there)
The four snakes and six thieves vie to harass one. (Immeasurable bliss)
Remembering the destinies of asuras and hungry ghosts: (May we be reborn there)
Famine, voidness, conflict, and strife—such suffering is hard to endure. (Immeasurable bliss)
Remembering animals devouring one another: (May we be reborn there)
Under the gleam of the blade relinquishing life, or pulling the plow. (Immeasurable bliss)
Remembering the long-enduring suffering experienced in hells: (May we be reborn there)
Blown along by karmic winds, knowing no return. (Immeasurable bliss)
Either climbing mountains of blades or scaling trees of swords, (May we be reborn there)
Skin, flesh, and bones turning to ash. (Immeasurable bliss)
Or entering boiling cauldrons and furnace-coals of fire, (May we be reborn there)
Surging waves and raging flames fiercer than thunder in the sky. (Immeasurable bliss)
I ask: By what cause is such suffering undergone? (May we be reborn there)
Greed for fish and love of meat—karma follows along. (Immeasurable bliss)
Molten copper poured into mouths, plows tilling tongues: (May we be reborn there)
Drinking alcohol and speaking falsehoods—one suffers those disasters. (Immeasurable bliss)
Or lying on iron beds and embracing bronze pillars: (May we be reborn there)
All of it comes from the inverted error of sexual misconduct. (Immeasurable bliss)
Or falling into the great Avīci hell: (May we be reborn there)
Passing through kalpas and long years, the eyes never open. (Immeasurable bliss)
Fires from above and fires from below interpenetrate and pass through; (May we be reborn there)
Wheels of blades and iron pestles spontaneously fly toward one. (Immeasurable bliss)
Bronze dogs gnaw at the heart and drink the blood; (May we be reborn there)
Iron crows peck out the eyes and pierce through the cheeks. (Immeasurable bliss)
Today, all the congregation in this sanctuary, (May we be reborn there)
Have undergone all of this through kalpas numerous as the sands of the Ganges. (Immeasurable bliss)
To attain this human body is difficult to encounter, (May we be reborn there)
Comparable to an udumbara flower just beginning to bloom. (Immeasurable bliss)
Just in time we encounter the seldom-heard Pure Land teaching; (May we be reborn there)
Just in time we encounter the opening of the Dharma-gate of reciting the Buddha's name. (Immeasurable bliss)
Just in time we encounter the calling of Amitābha's vast vows; (May we be reborn there)
Just in time we encounter the assembly turning back in faith. (Immeasurable bliss)
Just in time today we sing praises according to the sūtra; (May we be reborn there)
Just in time we forge a bond to ascend the flower terrace. (Immeasurable bliss)
Just in time the sanctuary is free from demonic obstacles; (May we be reborn there)
Just in time, free from illness, everyone can come. (Immeasurable bliss)
Just in time the merit of one day to seven days is accomplished; (May we be reborn there)
The forty-eight vows surely take one by the hand. (Immeasurable bliss)
Universally I exhort all fellow travelers in the sanctuary: (May we be reborn there)
Strive to turn your minds and return home! (Immeasurable bliss)
I ask: Where is our homeland? (May we be reborn there)
The seven-jeweled terrace within the pool of Sukhāvatī. (Immeasurable bliss)
That Buddha, while on the causal ground, established vast vows: (May we be reborn there)
"Hear my name and recite me, and I will welcome all of you!" (Immeasurable bliss)
He discriminates not between the poor and the rich; (May we be reborn there)
He discriminates not between the dull-witted and the highly talented. (Immeasurable bliss)
He discriminates not those devoid of Pure Land practice; (May we be reborn there)
He discriminates not non-Buddhists and icchantikas. (Immeasurable bliss)
He discriminates not those who have practiced austerities for a long time; (May we be reborn there)
He discriminates not those who only today generate the mind [for bodhi]. (Immeasurable bliss)
He discriminates not those of vast learning who uphold the pure precepts; (May we be reborn there)
He discriminates not those who break precepts and whose roots of sin are deep. (Immeasurable bliss)
If only one turns the mind and frequently recites the Buddha's name, (May we be reborn there)
It can turn rubble and tile into gold. (Immeasurable bliss)
I send this word to the great assembly present here: (May we be reborn there)
Those departing with the same affinity should soon seek out one another. (Immeasurable bliss)
I ask: Where shall we seek out one another? (May we be reborn there)
The report comes: Within Amitābha's Pure Land. (Immeasurable bliss)
I ask: By what cause can one be born there? (May we be reborn there)
The report comes: Recitation of the Buddha's name naturally succeeds. (Immeasurable bliss)
I ask: In this present life, we have many sinful obstacles; (May we be reborn there)
How could the Pure Land be willing to accommodate us? (Immeasurable bliss)
The report comes: In calling the name, sins are eliminated, (May we be reborn there)
Comparable to a bright lamp entering into the dark. (Immeasurable bliss)
I ask: Can ordinary persons attain rebirth or not? (May we be reborn there)
How can a single thought shine in the dark? (Immeasurable bliss)
The report comes: Dispelling doubt, concentrate solely on reciting the Buddha's name; (May we be reborn there)
At the end of life, the jeweled seat will surely come to welcome you. (Immeasurable bliss)