Table of Contents
Reciters Are Closer Than Blood Relations
Nip Hatred in the Bud, With Love
Problems: To Solve or to Cancel?
The Six-Character Name and Our Internal Organs
Entrusting Our Lives to Amitabha
Everyone Has the Right to Acclaim Amitabha
Education for Saints or Ordinary People?
Amitabha-Recitation and Being a Good Person
Pay Attention to Causative Karma
Out With the Old, In With the New
The Water Swells, the Boat Rises
Recitation Is as Insipid as Water
A Solitary Leaf Heralds the Fall
Amitabha Buddha Isn’t Worth a Cent
祝福
时光如箭，转眼又是一年。
时间是什么呢？是生死流转，是死亡。等到了净土，不生不灭，寿命无量，就不再有对时间束缚的感叹。此间任何之智者，谁能免脱时间的束缚？
以梦幻之时间，做梦幻之佛事，大家早归净土，早醒此梦。大梦谁先觉？南无阿弥陀佛。
因为人类的有限性，很多看似正面的祝福语，其实透露出来的都是负面的信息，反映了人类的无奈与希求，如祝你快乐、祝你幸福、祝你健康、祝你长寿，等等。
“平安、快乐”的祝词，多是肤浅的粉饰；“人生是苦”的诚言，才是切骨的关爱。
Best Wishes
How time flies, another year has gone by.
But what exactly is time? Time is the endless cycle of death and rebirth. However, once we are reborn in the Land of Bliss, we will enjoy an infinite life without further birth and death. No more lamentations over the constraints of time. In this world can anyone break through time and its constraints? Can it be done by even our wisest person?
Let us then accomplish dream like Dharma activities to overcome the illusion of time and its dreamlike limitations. May we all awaken from this dream and attain rebirth in the Pure Land as soon as possible. Who will awaken first? It will be reciters of Namo Amitabha Buddha.
Due to our limitations as human beings, many of our seemingly warm words of blessing really imply negative fears. These reflect our feelings of helplessness and our unrealistic hopes, such as wishing each other happiness, cheerfulness, health and longevity.
Blessings for peace and happiness are mostly superficial whitewashes. The truthful admonition that “life is suffering” reveals loving care and a profound concern.
新年谈“新”
心新，年才新；心好，年才好。若要“新年好”，需是“新心好”。
心若是旧的，年年过年，只是旧年，何来新年？心若新，则分分秒秒皆新，何必等待过年？
猎奇、搜新闻、学知识，并不能让心新；若能念佛，与佛心相通，便如浊溪得活水源头，清清汩汩，无时不新。
The ‘New’ in New Year
A year is new only when our hearts feel new. A year can be a happy one only when our hearts are happy. If we wish to have a “happy new year,” we need to cultivate “happy new hearts.”
If our hearts stayed in an old state, every incoming year would feel the same as the year before, not a new one. But if our hearts are revitalized, every minute and second would be new. There would be no need to await a changing of the year.
Novelty, news developments and more knowledge do not refresh our hearts. By reciting the name of Amitabha Buddha and connecting our hearts with his, we renew them constantly. It’s like providing a muddy stream with a source of fresh water, turning the waterway sparklingly clear.
一叶之舟
风和日丽，一片树叶轻盈地浮在水面，时而随细浪起伏，时而顺微风旋舞。她自傲地说：“看！我是多么善于驾驭风浪、掌控自我啊！”
话音未落，一层稍大的风浪就将她卷入水底。
人生之舟，亦如水上一叶。春风得意时，便觉得自己有能力掌控一切。而人类自傲的科技之舟，总在地震、海啸中瞬间倾覆。
A Leaf Boat
On a peaceful, sunny day, a leaf is lazily floating on the surface of water. It bobs along on the small waves and sails willy-nilly in the gentle breeze, saying proudly: “Look at my expertise at harnessing the wind and waves; I am the sovereign master of my course!”
But before it can finish bragging, a large wave looms and sinks it to the bottom of the pond.
The ship of life is like the leaf drifting on the surface of water. When riding on the crest of success, we would believe that we have mastery over everything. The vessel of science and technology, though a particular source of pride for humans, has always capsized suddenly in earthquakes and tsunamis.
艺术与净土
艺术是什么？艺术是美。发现美，创造美，表现美。净土是纯美、绝美、无限美，经中说“无量庄严”。所以艺术家应该求生净土。
艺术取材自然，经过提炼，超越自然，如同法藏菩萨摄取二百一十亿诸佛国土精华，成就极乐庄严，最胜第一。所以艺术家应该更能领会法藏菩萨的“愿心庄严”。
Art and the Pure Land
What is art? It is beauty, and the process of discovering, creating and expressing beauty. The Land of Bliss is pure, absolute, infinite beauty. The sutras speak of “immeasurable splendor.” So artists should aspire to be reborn in the Pure Land.
Art derives from nature, and it refines and transcends nature. Consider Bodhisattva Dharmakara, who absorbed the finest aspects of 21 billion Buddha-lands and accomplished the Pure Land’s unparalleled splendors. Artists should be more attuned than others to Bodhisattva Dharmakara’s “sublimity of vows.”
迷航
设想你正在飞行，飞机很先进，很舒适，天空很美，空中小姐服务非常周到，音乐很柔和，乘客很优雅……总之，一切都很好。你一定觉得这是一次非常好的旅行。
可正在这时，传来机长的声音：“飞机迷航了，与地面失去一切联系。我们没有着陆点，只能这样往前飞。但油量只剩几十分钟。”此时你的心情如何呢？先前所有的美好，瞬间消失。“机长！务必想尽一切办法，在油量耗尽之前找到安全的降落场。”
人一堕地，人生的飞机便起航了。即使还有四十年、五十年，也不过如飞机上的油量，只减不增，很快耗尽。
请问：人生的着陆点在哪里呢？在没有找到着陆点之前，你可以安心地享受人生吗？
权位、金钱、事业、婚姻、家庭，这一切是生命的最终着陆点吗？
如果有人认为这些就是人生的目的，就如同迷航的飞机把空中的白云当作安全的降落场一样。
Lost in the Clouds
Suppose you are on a flight. The aircraft is state-of-the-art, comfortable. Beautiful sky outside the window, attentive stewardesses, soft music, classy passengers … Everything is perfect. You are sure that the journey will be quite pleasant.
But suddenly comes the voice of the captain: “Our plane is off course and has lost contact with the ground. We have no landing point and must keep flying. We have enough fuel to do so only tens of minutes.” How would you feel then? All those wonderful feelings disappear instantly. “Captain, please try all means to find a safe landing spot before the fuel runs out!”
When a person is born, the plane of his life takes off. Even if one has another 40 or 50 years to live, the time is like the fuel on the plane: It only decreases and will soon be used up.
Where is the landing point of our life? Can we enjoy living at ease before we find it?
Power, status, money, career, marriage, family – are any of these the final landing point of our life?
Someone who believes that these are the aim of life is like a lost plane taking the clouds in the air as a safe landing field.
说道理
人类空虚的心需要道理来作为它的食品；其实真正有智慧的人知道，种种的道理、理论、说辞，不过是让我们的心过得去而已。
谄曲的心需要道理的贿赂，正直的心并不需要。
念佛有道理吗？没道理。
念佛需要道理吗？不需要。
那岂不是迷信？念佛，没道理，不需要道理，也说不出道理，自然被认为是迷信，可那又何妨呢？
穷人才要掩饰穷相，富人并不怕人家说他穷。
我曾以为自己懂得了念佛的道理，现在才知道一点也不懂。
曾经需要懂得道理才能安心念佛，现在已不需要，反而更安心。
有人来问念佛的道理，我当然还会告诉他“他以为是”的道理，但我心里明白，那不过是止啼之黄叶。
一般来说，理明信深——道理越明白，信心就越深，但这是对骄慢心重的钝根人不得已的；真正谦卑的人，真正虚心的人，善根深厚的人，并不需要。
On Reasoning
Our vacuous human minds need to be fed with reason. But truly intelligent persons know that rationales, theories and arguments only provide us inner comfort.
A mind that is accustomed to complex thinking needs reasoning. But an upright one does not.
Is it justifiable to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha? No, it isn’t.
Do we need any justification to recite his name? No, we don’t.
Then isn’t that just superstition? There is no reasoning in reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha. We do not need it; there is nothing to be reasoned about. It is natural, then, that name-recitation is considered superstitious. But what harm does that do?
Only the poor need to conceal their poverty. The rich do not care whether others consider them penniless.
I used to believe that I understood the rationale for name-recitation. But now I know that I am totally ignorant of such things.
There was a time when I needed to understand the rationale before I could recite Namo Amitabha with peace of mind. But now I have no need of understanding, and I feel more at ease.
If someone asks about the reasoning behind name recitation, I would still instruct him, as he believes it to be a necessity. But I know at heart that this is only a shiny trinket used to stop a child from crying — pure expediency.
Generally speaking, the more one understands the rationale, the deeper the confidence he has. But such understanding is only necessary for arrogant people with dull faculties. The humble, modest ones, with profound virtuous roots, have no need of it.
骄傲的人类
城市，大清早便如此喧嚣；不，她一夜未曾休息。
忙碌的人群，忙碌的城市，忙碌的人类，昼夜不停的脚步，你要走向何处呢？哪里是尽头？哪里可以歇息？何时可以恢复日是日、夜是夜的生活？
短短五千年，人类创立了各类文明，各种文化；摩天大楼拥簇起现代化大都会，发达交通网急速膨胀，因特网无孔不在；经济繁荣，科技走向外太空。于是人站在地球上骄傲地说：“我是地球的主宰！”
但只要人类还不能避免战争，它还只是幼稚的群类，未脱荒野与野蛮；只要个人还有贪瞋痴，他依然是一个罪恶生死凡夫。
我看不出人类有任何一点可以自骄的资本。
Human Pride
The city becomes noisy in the early dawn. Actually it has not rested all night.
In constant motion, busy people in busy crowds, making a busy city. But where are we going? Where is our destination? Where can we take a break? When can we resume a life where days are days, and nights are nights?
Over a mere five thousand years, mankind has created many cultures and civilizations. Modern skyscrapers compose our metropolises. Extensive traffic networks are rapidly expanding. The internet is everywhere and the economy prospers. Science and technology facilitate exploration into outer space, hence mankind stands proudly on the earth saying, “I am the master of the planet.”
However, as long as we remain unable to eliminate wars we will still be a tribal people, not yet out of savagery and barbarism. A person who is enslaved by greed, anger and delusion is still an ordinary human being, full of negative karma and trapped in the cycle of rebirth.
I don’t see anything that humans can really take pride in.
蝉鸣
蝉无论叫得如何声嘶力竭，都不可能说出对事物的正确认识；凡夫一切的语言思维，皆如蝉鸣，分贝很高，却无意义，只是戏论噪音。唯独口念的这一句“南无阿弥陀佛”除外。
人类陶醉于自我的知识、学问、见解，用各种语言文字表达，正如蝉陶醉于自我鸣叫一样，究竟来说皆无意义；唯独口念的“南无阿弥陀佛”是真理，是实相，但人却不晓得。
Chirping Cicadas
Cicadas may chirp themselves hoarse, but cannot express correct knowledge of things. The speech and thoughts of ordinary beings are like the chirping of cicadas – loud but meaningless. They are just noise from hollow arguments. The sole exception is when we recite “Namo Amitabha Buddha.”
Humans are intoxicated with their own knowledge, erudition, perspectives, and use an array of languages to express them. That’s like cicadas inebriated by their own loud chirpings. Ultimately these are all meaningless. The only truth, the ultimate reality, is our recitation of “Namo Amitabha Buddha.” But people are not aware of this.
问路
向人问路，获得对方指点，自然心怀感激，顺着指引，顺利到达目的地。不会无端地怀疑，更不会向指路人争辩：“为什么你说的路是正确的？你如何能让我相信你的指引正确？我要明白你指路的道理才愿上路，否则决不上路。”
人生路上，我们都是迷客，遇到佛的指引，有人却要明白道理，才肯相信，才愿上路，岂是智者？何时能到涅槃家乡？
Asking for Directions
If we ask for directions and get advice, we are grateful to the person who gives it. We follow the instruction and reach the destination without mishap. We wouldn’t doubt the person without reason or argue with him: “Why is the way you indicated the right one? How can you convince me you aren’t wrong? I must understand the principles behind your directions before I set out. Otherwise, I just won’t start.”
On the way of life, we are confused seekers. The Buddhas give us directions, but some people insist on knowing the principles before they believe and set out. Are they wise? When can they arrive at the destination of nirvana?
颠倒的信
“每天八杯水，有益健康。”
“每天一杯奶，强健一个民族。”
你信吗？自然很多人是信的。
说这话的人是谁？以何为依据？果然如此吗？并没有人去探问，反正大家都这么说，都这么信；我也这么信，也这么说。
“大家”真奇妙，找不出一个具体的承担人，不受问责，“他”说的话竟成了真理。
佛说：“从是西方过十万亿佛土，有世界名曰极乐。其土有佛，号阿弥陀，今现在说法。”听到的人多迟疑不信。
有根有据，佛圣所说，经典分明，听到的人翻来覆去，思想不定；无根无据，凡夫所说不负责任的话，信受不疑：这是不是也是颠倒呢？
Misguided Belief
“Eight glasses of water a day is good for health.”
“A glass of milk a day builds a strong nation.”
Do you believe in those myths? Many people do.
Who said those things? On what basis? Are they really true? No one asks such questions. Since everyone believes the statements and repeats them, so will I, goes the sentiment.
That “everyone” is tricky. No specific person can be identified and held accountable. But what “he” says is considered true.
The Buddha says, “From here, towards the west and passing a hundred thousand koṭis of Buddha realms, there is a world named Bliss. In that land is a Buddha named Amitabha, who is now teaching the Dharma.” But many who hear this are skeptical.
The well-grounded teachings of the Buddha are recorded clearly in the sutras. Those who hear them dither and doubt. Yet the ill-founded, irresponsible words of ordinary beings are readily believed. Is this not misguided?
孤独的人
人，孤独地来，孤独地去，活也孤独地活着。真的有朋友吗，真的有知音吗？“天下觅一知音难矣”，这是所有人的写照。
为了避免孤独，人们组成家庭，结成社会，结成团体，共同从事活动。然而，孤独却是内心的。如同太阳虽亮，照不破内心里面的黑暗；外在的接触无论如何也驱散不了内心的孤独，反而增加无穷的纷争冲突。人啊，可怜的人，在一起也不行，不在一起也不行，这就是你的智慧吗？
嘴唇可以亲吻，肌肤可以拥抱，但谁曾真正亲吻过那一颗孤独的心，谁曾给它温暖的拥抱？
幽闭在“我”的深牢中，亿万劫来从来不曾被人亲吻爱抚，心是多么地孤独冰冷啊！
Lonely Hearts
Each of us comes into the world alone and leaves it alone. We live lonely lives. Do we really have friends or confidants? “How hard it is to find a soulmate!” A portrait of us all.
To avoid loneliness, people bond together in families, form groups and societies, and engage in activities with others. However, loneliness is something inside us. It is like an inner darkness that isn’t dispelled even by strong sunlight. External contacts cannot eliminate the loneliness of the spirit. Rather, they are prone to enhance conflict. Poor humans – uncomfortable alone, and together. Where is the wisdom?
Lips can be kissed and skin caressed. But who has really kissed our lonely hearts or embraced them warmly?
Trapped in the dark dungeon of the ego, our hearts have not been kissed or caressed for countless kalpas. How lonely and cold they are!
人不当人看
看人，不要当作独立具体的个人。他只是一堆因缘的聚合体，是一个因缘团，如同一团烟雾，不自在，不能自主。虽然他口口声声说“我，我”，但他并没有“我”，所以不要上当。
既然都是因缘，就会理性不情绪。难道我们可以对一团因缘的烟雾怒吼吗？指着它说“就是你，才这样”吗？
Looking at People
When dealing with others, we should not regard them as independent, specific individuals. Each person is only an assembly of causes and effects, a circumstance of karma, a cloud of smoke – unfree and non-autonomous. He may refer to himself constantly as “I” or “me,” but that entity does not actually exist. So don’t be fooled.
If we know that everything is just cause and effect, we would be rational, not emotional. Would we shout in anger at a cloud of smoke? Would we point to it, haranguing: “You’re to blame for this”?
为什么
为什么天阴？因为天上有云。为什么有云？因为水蒸气聚积成云。
天阴，有云，水蒸气聚积，三者说的是一件事。自以为“为什么”的答案其实不过“是什么”的另外一种转述。
当我们无穷追问下去，没有人可以回答为什么，所有的回答都如绕口令一般，绕来绕去，原地打转。
叶为什么绿，花为什么红？我们果真知道吗？
为什么这样就是红，这样就是绿？因为这样就是红，这样就是绿。没有为什么。
哈，终极答案：这样就是红，这样就是绿。没有为什么，只有是什么。
一切万法，本来如是；但能谛信，断绝追寻。
Why?
Why is the sky overcast? Because there are clouds in the sky. Why are there clouds? Because water vapor condenses to form them.
Overcast sky, clouds, condensing vapor. All three refer to the same thing. The answers to the “whys” are actually another way of replying to the question of “what.”
If we continue to press questions, no one would be able to answer. All responses would become like tongue-twisters, going around in circles.
Why are leaves green? Why are flowers red? Do we really know?
Why is this red? Why is that green? Because this is red and that is green. There is no why.
Ha, so we have the ultimate answer: This is red, that is green. There is no why, only what.
All things were originally so. Would that we can believe firmly, and forgo the pressing.
最后
常常听到有人说：“我知道专修念佛好。现在先学学别的，最后再专修念佛。”难得他有专修的观念，遗憾的是他不知什么是最后。
旷劫轮回到如今，今生一定要解脱，今生已是最后。
今晚脱下鞋和袜，不知明天穿不穿，今天即是最后。
一踩油门上了路，谁能保证定回家，下一刻即是最后。
足不出户山海震，瞬间呑噬数万人，现在即是最后。
现在即是最后，念念皆是临终，一息不来，魂往何处？再向谁去讨要最后？所以，专修念佛，现在开始。
佛言：生命在呼吸间。
昙鸾大师说：无后心。
善导大师劝：念念不舍。
最后再来念佛，恐怕无佛可念。况念佛并不妨碍一切，何必自设条限？
The Final Moment
I often hear people say: “I know it’s good to recite Namo Amitabha Buddha single-mindedly. I shall practice it at the final moment, when my number is up. In the meantime, let me learn something else first.” It’s laudable that they recognize the value of single-minded practice. However, it’s a shame they can never tell when their time will be up.
We have been trapped in the cycle of reincarnation for countless kalpas. We must attain liberation in this lifetime. So this life is the final life.
We never know whether we will be able to put on our socks and shoes again tomorrow after taking them off tonight. So today is the last day.
There is no guarantee that we will return home once we have put our foot down on the car’s accelerator and hit the road. The next moment is the final moment.
Tens of thousands of people are killed instantly when a tsunami or earthquake suddenly strikes. Now is the last moment.
The present moment can be final, and our end may come any time. Where will our spirit go if our breath just stops suddenly? Whom will we beg for another last moment? So let’s start whole-heartedly reciting Amitabha’s name at once.
The Buddha says, “We only live from breath to breath.”
Master Tanluan advises, “Don’t look to any final moment.”
Master Shandao exhorts, “Recite persistently.”
If we wait till the last moment to recite, the chance may not be there. In any event, to recite the name of Amitabha Buddha does not get in the way of anything. Why do we have to set any timeframe?
无常
狭碍的三界憋得我们喘不过气，无常的车轮拖得人晕头转向，这个世界实在不好玩，不好过。
有南无阿弥陀佛，我们终于可以大口呼吸，扩展心胸，呼吸彻底。有南无阿弥陀佛，我们终于可以大声说话：“无常，你终止吧！”
无常，这个世界的王，它有摧伏一切的力量，宇宙星辰在它的轮下也不过如装甲车碾过土疙瘩；何况小小血肉之躯，向它抗争只如螳臂挡车，屈膝哀嚎从来不被矜悯。而今我只想对它说：“无常，就这样碾压过我的头颅吧，你将没有第二次机会。”
无常，当我们再见时，我想对你说：“老朋友，我已经知道了你的游戏，熟知了你的规则，并感恩你最后的成全。现在你是否愿意加入我的游戏，按照我的规则呢？”我相信你是会答应的。
Impermanence
The tight and narrow confines of the Three Realms are suffocating. The constantly spinning wheel of impermanence makes us dizzy. This world is not fun; it’s a tough place.
But when we recite Namo Amitabha Buddha, we can finally stretch, relax our shoulders, inhale and exhale deeply. Being in the presence of Namo Amitabha Buddha, we can exclaim: “Impermanence, you are at an end.”
Impermanence, the actual ruler of this world, has the power to destroy and subdue everything. All the stars of the universe fall under its wheel, like clods of dirt that are crushed on a busy road. So how can our fragile bodies of flesh and blood resist? Despite our petitions and pleading, we have never been exempted from the sufferings of impermanence. But today I can say: “Impermanence, you might as well run over me now, for you won’t have another chance.”
Impermanence, when we meet again I shall tell you: “Hey buddy, I know well your game and its rules, and thank you for your final facilitation. Now, will you join my game and follow my rules?” I believe you will say yes.
