知歸子現居士身說法。著居士傳。屬予為之序。序曰。知歸子學佛。歸心淨土。發決定往生之願者也。究論往生之因。因於一念之淨。一念之淨即成往生之因。況念念相繼有不決定往生得覲彌陀者乎。知歸子修淨土念念相繼。其學佛也可謂密矣。仰前修之匪遠。表萬法之同歸。自度度人度人自度。著書之心可謂切矣。若知歸子可以現居士身而說法矣。予故歡喜序之。以告世之讀居士傳者。同學汪縉撰。

Knowing One Returns manifests in the body of a lay practitioner to teach the Dharma. He composed the *Biographies of Lay Practitioners* and asked me to write a preface. In the preface, I state:

Knowing One Returns is a student of the Buddha, turning his heart toward the Pure Land with a resolute vow to be reborn there. Examining the cause of rebirth, it arises from a single moment of purity. That one pure thought itself becomes the cause of rebirth. How much more so when one thought follows another without interruption—could such a person fail to be reborn and behold Amitabha? Knowing One Returns cultivates the Pure Land, maintaining an unbroken continuity of pure thoughts. In his study of the Buddha, he may be said to be deeply dedicated.

He looks up to the ancient sages as if they were not far away, and he demonstrates how all paths lead to the same goal. Liberating himself while liberating others, and liberating others as part of liberating himself—his purpose in writing the book is truly heartfelt. For such a person, it is fitting to appear in the form of a lay practitioner and teach the Dharma.

Thus, with joyful heart, I write this preface to inform the readers of the *Biographies of Lay Practitioners*.

Written by your fellow student, Wang Jin.

Lay Buddhist Biographies (居士傳)

Lay Buddhist Biographies (居士傳)