起一心精進念佛七期規式
虞山普仁院淨業比丘 行䇿定
事例
擇清淨廣廈。以為七堂。中奉彌陀聖像。懸諸華旛。然燈燒香。七日不絕。但以香光莊嚴。如法供養。不用蔬果讚吹等。堂中左右。各設長桌一張。亦用香爐供具嚴飾之。桌外各設坐椅四張。中央向佛設長桌一張。與左右桌齊。兩橫離一二尺許。可通出入。桌上供疏文一道。大爐一座。華燭供具。須令相稱。桌外放蒲墩四箇。左右近壁。若無禪牀。則多設坐位。以便隨班退坐。其同行淨侶。定十二人。分為三班。每班四人。首位司引磬。記持佛號。以千聲為度。次位司小魚。後二位司巡察。見班中昏散者警之。中央面佛。為第一班。近西一人為班首。即是七主。右邊東向。為第二班。近上一人為班首。左邊西向。為第三班。近下一人為班首。佛前上下兩長桌上。各置引磬小魚一副。用過隨放桌上。凡七堂施設。須於隔宿。事事周備。同七緇素亦須隔日齊集。沐浴已。預請主七師。分班定位。教示演習。每班繞佛百聲。即歸位換班。於旋繞中間。驀鳴大魚六下。以代食梆。三班如法出堂。乃至齋堂旋念。止魚接板。結板接佛。歸堂旋坐。一一指教明白。令眾委悉。以期中戒語。不便指授。故須預習也。習已。各自至誠禮佛。求佛加被。令七晝夜中所作成辦。不起內外魔障。事畢早息。毋致疲勞。
Choose a spacious, clean hall to serve as the seven-day retreat space. In the center, enshrine a sacred image of Amitabha Buddha. Hang colorful banners, keep lamps lit, and burn incense continuously for seven days without interruption. Adorn the space solely with the fragrance and light of incense, making offerings in accordance with the Dharma, without using fruits, vegetables, or musical instruments.
On the left and right sides of the hall, place one long table each, also decorated with incense burners and ritual implements. Outside each table, set four chairs. In the center, facing the Buddha, place another long table aligned with the side tables, leaving a gap of one or two feet on either side for passage. On this central table, place a written prayer text, a large incense burner, flowers, candles, and other offerings, ensuring they are appropriately arranged. Outside this table, place four meditation cushions.
Along the left and right walls, if there are no meditation platforms, set up additional seating to allow participants to withdraw and sit in their assigned groups.
The retreat companions should number twelve, divided into three groups of four. In each group: - The first person is responsible for the hand-chime and keeping count of the Buddha’s name recitations, aiming for one thousand repetitions. - The second person is responsible for the small wooden fish. - The remaining two are responsible for monitoring the group, alerting anyone who becomes drowsy or distracted.
The central group, facing the Buddha, is the first group, with the person nearest the west serving as the group leader, who is also the retreat master. The group on the right, facing east, is the second group, with the person nearest the top serving as the group leader. The group on the left, facing west, is the third group, with the person nearest the bottom serving as the group leader.
On the long tables in front of the Buddha, place one hand-chime and one small wooden fish each. After use, return them to the tables.
All preparations for the seven-day retreat should be completed the day before. The monastic and lay participants should also gather the day prior. After bathing, invite the retreat master to assign groups and positions, providing instruction and rehearsal. Each group should circumambulate the Buddha one hundred times, then return to their positions to rotate groups. During the circumambulation, the large wooden fish should be struck six times to signal mealtime. The three groups should exit the hall in an orderly manner, continuing recitation in the dining hall until the wooden fish stops and the clappers begin, then the clappers stop and Buddha-recitation resumes, before returning to the hall for seated meditation. Each step should be clearly taught so that everyone understands thoroughly. Since speaking is prohibited during the retreat itself, all instructions must be given in advance. After rehearsal, each person should sincerely bow to the Buddha, seeking blessings for the successful completion of the seven days, free from internal or external obstacles. Once finished, rest early to avoid fatigue.
第一日。五更報鐘鳴。眾起盥潄畢。用湯點入。堂主七師鳴引磬。禮佛三拜。各依位立定。舉香讚誦阿彌陀經。聲須和緩。往生呪三徧。起讚佛偈。即稱佛名。中班鳴引磬二下。問訊旋繞。左右班。乃端坐默隨。若昏散重者。當微動脣齒。庶免坐忘間斷。并落昏沈。無記性中。其神氣清明者。當閉目靜聽。一心緣佛。使心中佛號。朗朗如貫珠。不雜不斷。首班旋繞畢。仍於下邊立空。於陀字上。鳴引磬一下。次班即從座起。從容出位。於佛桌邊。一行立定。首班復鳴引磬一下。又四五聲佛後。於陀佛二字上。連鳴兩下。即止佛問訊。就右邊空位坐。次班接佛問訊。旋繞如前。佛號畢。仍於上邊立定。三鳴引磬。末班起座出位。於下邊接佛旋繞。一如前式。次班復就左邊空位而坐。默隨佛號。如是三班。周而復始。從旦至暮。佛聲不絕。每稱念一千。默隨二千。旋行一千。安坐二千。庶幾身口弗疲。勞逸均等。凡旋繞畢時。但看無小魚桌邊。方乃就立。則上下永無差誤矣。十二人外。不論緇素多寡。亦分三班。行則隨行。坐則退坐。
Day One. At the fifth watch, the bell rings. Everyone rises, washes, and rinses. After having some warm soup, they enter the hall. The hall master, the seventh master, strikes the small chime. They bow three times to the Buddha, then each takes their designated position. They raise incense, chant praises, and recite the Amitabha Sutra. The voices should be gentle and unhurried. They recite the Rebirth Mantra three times, then begin the praise verses to the Buddha, immediately followed by chanting the Buddha's name.
The middle row strikes the small chime twice, bows, and begins circumambulating. The left and right rows sit upright and silently follow along. If drowsiness or distraction is heavy, one should slightly move the lips and teeth to avoid sitting in forgetfulness, breaking the continuity, and falling into dullness or a blank state.
Those whose spirit and energy are clear and bright should close their eyes and listen quietly, focusing the mind entirely on the Buddha. Let the Buddha's name in the heart be clear and continuous, like a string of pearls, without mixture or interruption.
When the first row finishes circumambulating, they stand in the empty space below. On the syllable "tuo," the small chime is struck once. The next row then rises from their seats, calmly steps out of position, and lines up beside the Buddha's table. The first row strikes the small chime once more. After another four or five Buddha names, on the syllables "tuo fo," two consecutive strikes are sounded, and the Buddha name chanting stops. They bow and take their seats in the empty space on the right.
The next row takes over, bows, and circumambulates as before. After the Buddha name chanting ends, they stand firmly in the upper space. The small chime is struck three times. The last row rises from their seats, steps out of position, and takes over the chanting and circumambulation from below, following the same pattern. The second row then sits in the empty space on the left and silently follows the Buddha name.
In this way, the three rows alternate in a continuous cycle. From dawn till dusk, the sound of the Buddha's name never ceases. For every thousand names chanted aloud, two thousand are followed silently; for every thousand steps of circumambulation, two thousand are spent sitting peacefully. This ensures that body and speech do not grow weary, and exertion and rest are balanced equally.
When finishing circumambulation, simply observe: if there is no small fish table beside you, then take your standing position. This way, above and below will never be out of order.
Beyond twelve people, regardless of whether they are monastics or laypersons, and regardless of their number, they are also divided into three rows. When walking, they follow the walking; when sitting, they withdraw to sit.
齋堂鋪設圓位三面。長桌相接。唯下方中央少空。通行堂出入。四面近壁。皆可回繞。(設位本方。而日圓者。取周帀回旋之義也)三時粥飯外。午前加食一餐。蔬菜止二簋。兩人共之。每食行食畢。鳴梆六下。(表南無阿彌陀佛)堂中聞梆聲。不論何班旋繞。如常旋念。至疏桌邊。班首置數珠於桌上。取引磬鳴二下。問訊。(若佛聲太急。即于此時。改魚緩念)左右班起立。同聲稱念。班首帶引磬。從中路向佛旋行。仍從中路出堂。若首班在前。餘兩班次第隨行。須待本班緇素行盡。次班方可接行。若值中班在前。則末班隨行。首班居後。若末班在前。則首班隨行。次班居後。不得越亂。到齋堂。右旋一帀。候末位到齊。班首即鳴引磬一下。止魚停佛。緇素隨所到處。就位坐定。不得推前遜後。不得抽身離位。隨坐隨食。不用問訊念誦出生等。旁懸板椎一副。預令沙彌立板椎邊。候小魚停止。接板念佛。每聲鳴板二下。眾等食時。一心緣佛。不可須臾放逸。食訖。班首於南字上。鳴引磬一下。沙彌即於陀佛二字上。連擊二下。結板。眾齊出位。亦不問訊。即起佛右繞歸堂。一依前次。班首行至本立處。鳴引磬二下。問訊。置於桌上。仍取數珠繞佛。餘班歸原位坐。其左班西向者。須順旋至桌邊。從末位進。毋直歸。毋逆行。凡歸位出班。及有事出入。並須安詳徐步。毋得踉蹌疾走。入夜日光初暝。供疏桌上。亦然長燭。此後約每班。兩回旋念六千佛竟。更俟下班接佛旋行時。七主出位。鳴引磬一下。堂眾皆起。同聲旋念。不復論三班緇素次序。但約旋念十數帀。後七主於下方中央。面佛立定。三鳴引磬。結小魚一陣止佛。眾皆面佛鳴引磬。同念發願偈云。弟子眾等。至心發願。
願命終時神不亂 正念直往生安養
面奉彌陀值眾聖 修行十地勝常樂
At the moment of my life's end, may my mind be clear and undisturbed, With right mindfulness, may I go directly to the Land of Peace and Nourishment. There, may I meet Amitabha Buddha face to face and encounter all the sages, And practice the ten stages of enlightenment, surpassing ordinary joys.
於末後三字。緩鳴引磬三下。即禮佛三拜。歸單就寢。眾等爾時尤宜防護三業。正念寢息。不得作餘事。說餘語。起餘雜想。亦不得禮餘佛。誦餘經呪。縱有恒課。終身不缺者。亦皆停止。甯于七日。後追補之。不然則未免間斷夾雜。又烏得稱為七日持名。一心不亂乎。寢息後。兩炷官香將盡。香燈師預通厨房。辦面水湯點。即鳴報鐘。此後六日入堂禮佛已。即起讚佛偈。不誦經呪。餘皆如初日行。持期中請定護七師。二人為一期外護。凡緇素隨喜。毋令入堂。唯專為念佛來者。乃導之使入。禮佛三拜已。即送隨班旋念。或送左右班後。不得揖眾共語。若未滿期欲去。亦但禮佛而出。不用別眾緇素。於七前預到。發願終七者。必須終竟一期。不同隨喜之例。倘年高有疾。力難支遣。可密啟護七師。乞其寫帖。轉達七主。或旋行時少坐。或入夜後早息。當破格方便之。次立監直師一人。眾中有違約者。即登名記罰。不可放過。次安香燈一人。行者二人。香燈司爐火香燭之事。遇燭暗則翦。香盡則換。眾赴齋則守堂不出。眾就寢則看香定夜。須老成者充之。若疲乏時。憗與監直師。更換寢息。不可失事誤眾。行者司茶水洗沐等事。午前行茶兩次。午後不拘次數。入夜復行一次。每行畢。隨收器盪滌。俟旋念班坐定。還須補行。凡盆水浣濯。眾所需待者。皆當盡心供辦。護七師須隨時經理。毋令懈廢。
At the final three words, slowly strike the small bell three times, then bow to the Buddha three times and return to your place to rest. At this time, everyone should be especially mindful of guarding their three karmas (body, speech, and mind), rest with proper mindfulness, and not engage in other activities, speak other words, or give rise to miscellaneous thoughts. You should also not bow to other Buddhas or recite other sutras or mantras. Even if you have daily practices that you have maintained without fail for a lifetime, you should suspend them during this period. It is better to make up for them after the seven days. Otherwise, it would inevitably lead to interruptions and mixing, and how could it be called "seven days of holding the name, single-minded and undisturbed"?
After resting, when the two sticks of official incense are nearly finished, the incense and lamp attendant should inform the kitchen in advance to prepare water for washing, soup, and snacks, and then ring the announcement bell. For the remaining six days, after entering the hall and bowing to the Buddha, immediately begin the praise verses to the Buddha. Do not recite other sutras or mantras. All other procedures are the same as on the first day.
During the practice period, appoint two guardians to oversee the seven-day session. They will serve as external protectors for the entire period. Whether monastics or laypeople come to join in, do not allow them to enter the hall. Only those who come specifically to recite the Buddha's name should be guided in. After bowing to the Buddha three times, they should be directed to join the recitation in the appropriate group or placed at the back of the left or right group. They should not greet or engage in conversation with others. If they wish to leave before the seven days are completed, they should simply bow to the Buddha and depart without bidding farewell to the group.
For those who arrive before the seven-day session begins and vow to complete the entire period, they must see it through to the end, unlike those who join temporarily. If someone is elderly or ill and finds it difficult to continue, they may discreetly inform the guardians, who will write a note to inform the session leader. They may be allowed to sit briefly during the walking meditation or rest early at night, as a compassionate exception.
Next, appoint one supervisor to oversee the proceedings. If anyone violates the rules, their name should be recorded for appropriate consequences, without leniency.
Also, assign one person to manage incense and lamps, and two attendants. The incense and lamp attendant is responsible for tending to the stove, incense, and candles. When candles grow dim, trim them; when incense runs out, replace it. When the group goes for meals, this person should remain in the hall. When the group rests, they should watch the incense to determine the time of night. This role should be filled by someone mature and responsible. If they become fatigued, they may discreetly switch with the supervisor to rest, but they must not neglect their duties or inconvenience the group.
The attendants are responsible for tea, water, washing, and other needs. Serve tea twice before noon, and as needed in the afternoon. Serve tea once more in the evening. After each serving, clean and put away the utensils. When the walking meditation group sits down, additional tea should be served if needed. All necessities such as basin water and washing supplies should be provided diligently.
The guardians should oversee everything at all times, ensuring that nothing is neglected or left undone.
滿七之日。入夜。六千佛竟。更俟下班接佛。後主七師如常鳴引磬。三班同起。旋念五百聲佛。主七師於佛桌東首。向佛立定。鳴大磬一下。眾皆面佛。鳴第三下時。隨接鐘鼓一通。鳴大魚。跪稱觀音勢至清淨海眾各十聲。如晚課例。小淨土文。回向。禮佛十二拜。菩薩三拜。三自歸畢。隨鳴大磬一下。眾相向側立。主七師至下方中央。展具禮佛長跪。眾稱南無大乘常住三寶。護七師宣疏畢。仍鳴小魚。誦往生呪。送疏。不拘徧數。結呪已。念發願偈。問訊。回至佛前。眾同展具作禮三拜。收具問訊。鳴引磬。引眾出堂。詣主七師室中。禮謝。主七師同眾。至護七師處。及諸職事師處。巡寮敘謝訖。然後歸堂圓禮。為一期事竟。