No. 1187-A淨土隨學題詞
Pure Land Study Preface
每嘆娑婆無量苦。死生輪迴沒定所。纔得人身轉瞬間。又隨惡報沉冥府。何幸世尊悲願深。特駕慈航救沉淪。無問自說持名法。欲使含靈盡出塵。東土闡揚自遠祖。社結廬山修淨土。高士無數悉往生。後裔諸賢踵其武。傷哉正法值陵夷。學侶紛紛喜鬬奇。但念彌陀心顯現。不肯承當反覔誰。敲門瓦子打親娘。可憐背騁趣羊腸。好說唯心無他土。如斯邪見更可傷。幸師力將悲智運。法藥遍施救時病。一字一句總清凉。令速超凡義無剩。神珠且寶不可量。亦猶帝網映千光。根器奚容分高下。隨分領納盡非常。(神珠即師所集之書。極應時機。以開圓解。淨業學者。當細玩之)嗟我何緣值明師。一言痛快愈盲癡。(瑩向喜持名。愧無要指。蒙師示以嬰兒墮水急呼母救之喻。頓息馳求。深霑法乳)但願法寶常住世。人人隨學霑恩施。
Each sigh for this Saha world's endless suffering, Birth and death revolve with no fixed abode. Scarcely have we gained a human form, gone in a flash, Then sink again into dark realms by evil karma's crash. How fortunate the World-Honored One's compassion deep, Specially launches the ship of mercy to save those who sink. Without being asked, He proclaimed the practice of holding the Name, Wishing all sentient beings to escape the dust and shame. In the East, it spread from distant ancestors' grace, The society at Mount Lu cultivated the Pure Land's embrace. Countless noble souls all achieved rebirth there, Later sages followed in their steps with care. Alas! The True Dharma faces decline and decay, Practitioners delight in competing with novel displays. But thinking of Amitabha, the mind manifests clear, Yet refusing to accept, they seek elsewhere with fear. Striking their own mother with a tile to knock the door, Pitiful! They race on goat paths, turning from the shore. They love to say "Mind-Only, no other land," Such heretical views are even more to bemoan. Fortunately, the Master applies compassion and wisdom's art, Spreading the Dharma's medicine to heal the times' ailment. Every word and phrase brings cool refreshment, Speeding transcendence of the ordinary, with nothing left unsent. The sacred pearl, a treasure beyond measure, Like Indra's net reflecting a thousand lights of pleasure. How can we divide roots by high or low? Each receives according to capacity, all beyond the norm, you know. (The sacred pearl refers to the Master's collected writings, perfectly suited to the times, opening comprehensive understanding. Students of Pure Land practice should study them carefully.) Alas! What fortune lets me meet a wise teacher so bright? One word of clarity cures my blindness and ignorance outright. (I (Ying) used to delight in holding the Name but lacked essential guidance. The Master showed me the simile of a baby falling into water, urgently calling for its mother's rescue, which instantly stilled my restless seeking. Deeply bathed in the Dharma's milk.) I only wish this Dharma-treasure may long abide, That all may learn and receive its grace, side by side.
時大清光緒元年歲次乙亥中秋日涔陽後學照瑩敬然臂香三炷稽首題於法源庵之報恩關前