第四条原则：专修净业，自得心开
[4] The Fourth Principle: With Focused Cultivation Of Pure Karma, By Oneself Attaining Mind’s Awakening
念佛之人，不可涉于禅家参究一路。以参究者，均不注重于信愿求生。纵然念佛，只注重看「念佛的是谁」，以求开悟而已。
Of persons with mindfulness of the Buddha, they must not be involved in the Chán school’s one path of contemplative investigation. With those having contemplative investigation, all do not emphasise on Faith and Aspiration for seeking birth in Pure Land. Even if mindful of the Buddha, only emphasising on seeing ‘Who is the one mindful of the Buddha?’, with seeking of awakening only.
若生西方，无有不开悟者。若开悟而惑业净尽，则可了生死。
If born in the Western Pure Land, it is without those who do not awaken. If awakened, then with confusions and negative karma completely exhausted, thus can they be liberated from the cycle of birth and death.
若惑业未尽，则不能仗自力了生死。又无有信愿，则不能仗佛力了生死。自力佛力两者无靠，欲出轮回，其可得乎？
If confusions and negative karma are yet to be exhausted, thus not able to rely on Self-power to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Also without having Faith and Aspiration, thus not able to rely on the Buddha’s power to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. With that of Self-power and the Buddha’s power, without depending on both, yet desiring to exit rebirth, how can that be attained?
须知法身菩萨未成佛前，皆须仗佛威力。何况业力凡夫，侈谈自力，不仗佛力，其语虽高超，其行实卑劣！佛力自力之大小，何止天渊之别？愿同人悉体此义。
It must be known that even of the Dharma Body’s Bodhisattvas yet to accomplish Buddhahood, all must rely on the Buddha’s majestic power. Furthermore, for ordinary beings with negative karma’s power, who extravagantly speak of Self-power, and not relying on the Buddha’s power. These words although ‘high and superb’, this practice is truly lowly and inferior! Of the Buddha’s power’s and Self-power’s greatness and smallness, how can their differences only be those between the sky and the abyss? May co-practitioners all realise this meant.
净土宗十三祖印光大师
Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng
《一函遍复》
(One Letter As A Common Reply)
