緣起(法師鳴尺一下)
The Origin(The Master strikes the meditation mallet once)
蓋聞西方世界。淨土樂邦。徧界而百寶莊嚴。諸地而七珍布砌。池流八德。蓮吐四花。寶樹重重。祥光爍爍。其土有佛。號曰彌陀。往昔因中。曾發誓願。若有眾生。稱念我名。即生我國。是以天親馬鳴龍樹。三大菩薩。造論指歸。沿至歷代祖師。靡不稱讚西方。勸人念佛。超往極樂。逮我。
As I have heard, in the Western Realm, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the entire land is adorned with countless treasures. The ground is paved with precious gems of seven kinds. Pools flow with water of eight noble qualities, and lotus blossoms bloom in four colors. Majestic jeweled trees tower everywhere, and radiant light shines brilliantly. In that land, there is a Buddha named Amitabha. In a past life, while cultivating the path, He made a great vow: "If any being calls My name with faith, they will be reborn in My land." Therefore, the three great Bodhisattvas—Vasubandhu, Ashvaghosha, and Nagarjuna—wrote treatises explaining this teaching, guiding beings back to the Pure Land. Throughout the generations, all ancestral masters have praised the Western Land, urging people to recite the Buddha’s name and transcend to Ultimate Bliss. Now, in our time,
中峯祖師。著文繫念。何云繫念。一心繫屬于佛。不雜他念之謂也。乘此念心。堅固純熟。決定往生。我今叨臨法會。禮宜然香灑淨。恭迎列聖雲臨。然後演說。眾等䖍誠。稱揚聖號。
Ancestor Zhongfeng wrote a text on Recitation Mindfulness. What is Recitation Mindfulness? It means focusing your mind entirely on the Buddha, without mixing in other thoughts. Relying on this mind of mindfulness, when it becomes steady and mature, you will certainly be reborn in the Pure Land.
Now I have the honor to attend this Dharma assembly. Properly, I should burn incense, sprinkle purifying water, and respectfully welcome the assembly of saints to descend like clouds. After that, I will expound the teaching. You should all listen with sincere devotion and recite the sacred name.
歸依西方 阿彌陀佛彌陀佛 阿彌陀佛 阿彌陀佛彌陀佛(大眾齊和。五聲畢。再起五聲。去首四字畢。法師執罏拈香)
I take refuge in the Western Pure Land, Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Amitabha Buddha.
(The assembly chants together. After five recitations, begin five more. Omit the first four characters. The Dharma Master holds the incense burner and offers incense.)