..續本文上一頁 reborn there. If we want to turn the ship of kindness around and come back to save living beings on a vast scale, we can also recite and obtain the response of returning to the Saha world, east of the Land of Ultimate Bliss. In general, we can recite and obtain the response of going to any Dharma Realm. So the verse says, “going east or west as you please.” It is said,

　　When one wish is fulfilled,

　　all wishes are fulfilled.

　　When we are at ease in one place,

　　we are at ease everywhere.

　　所以我們學佛，處處要真誠，不然便是虛僞，虛僞便會「開謊花，不結果」，所以學佛切記不要自己騙自己。

　　Therefore in studying Buddhism, we must always be sincere. If we are false, then we are nothing but “sterile blossoms that don”t bear fruit.” So in the practice of Buddhism, take care not to cheat yourself.

　　其次，古人也說：「君子求諸己，小人求諸人。」我們不可有依賴心，應知感應是自己所招，並非從外得來的。有人說：「念佛得生淨土，是仗佛力所接引。」此話可以說是對，也可以說是不對，爲什麼？因爲「接引」這個說法，只是對機而言；因爲衆生的貪，都是希望能用力少而收效大，好像放高利貸，放出的少，而收入的多，所以聖人隨機應變，說出了佛力接引的話，目的是叫一切衆生努力去念。其實他們念佛、菩薩的名號而能往生淨土，也是全憑自己的力量，怎麼說呢？

　　Furthermore, the ancients have said, “The superior person makes demands on himself. The petty person makes demands on others.” We should not be dependent on others. We should recognize that responses result from our own efforts; they don”t come from outside. Someone objects, “When we recite the Buddha”s name to be reborn in the Pure Land, we rely on the Buddha”s power to lead us there.” You could say that statement is right, but you could also say it”s wrong. Why

　　 Saying that the Buddha leads us there is only a provisional explanation spoken for greedy living beings who hope to put in a little effort and obtain a lot. This is like loan sharks that give a little and take in a lot. The sages accommodated the potentials of living beings and said that the Buddha”s power leads us, with the goal of making living beings recite vigorously. In reality, when they recite the names of the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, they are relying on their own strength to obtain rebirth in the Pure Land. How is this the case

　　念佛是佛替你念的嗎？你念菩薩的那個念，是菩薩生出來的嗎？如果不是，又豈能說是仗他力？譬如佛菩薩放光加被你，這也是你自己念佛菩薩的功德所感。再拿打電話作一個例子，如果你自己不打電話，又有誰來接你的電話？所以念佛也是這個道理。

　　When you recite the Buddha”s name, does the Buddha recite for you

　　 Does the thought of reciting the Bodhisattvas” names come from the Bodhisattvas

　　 If not, then how can you say you rely on an external strength

　　 For example, when the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bestow aid by shining their light on you, that”s also in response to your efforts in reciting the names of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Consider the analogy of a phone call again. If you don”t make the call, then who”s going to answer the phone

　　 The same principle applies to reciting the Buddha”s name.

　　其實有這種希望仗佛力接引而生淨土的心，就是貪心，就是依賴，是要不得的。我們修行要仗自力，打起精神，鼓起勇氣，勇猛精進，應知果報並不是人家能夠賜與的，所以念佛也可以說不是仗佛力所接引。

　　Actually, hoping the Buddha”s power will lead us to rebirth in the Pure Land is just greed and dependency, and we don”t want that. In cultivation, we want to rely on our own strength, rouse our spirits, pluck up courage, and vigorously advance. Know that rewards and retributions cannot be given to you by others. Therefore, when we recite the Buddha”s name, we”re not really relying on the Buddha”s power to lead us.

　　古人又說：「將相本無種，男兒當自強。」我們學佛，也要挺起胸膛來這樣說：

　　佛陀本無種，

　　衆生當自強。

　　The ancients also said, “No man is a general or prime minister by birth. One must rely on his own effort to obtain such a position.” We who study Buddhism should stand up tall and say,

　　No one is a Buddha by birth.

　　A living being must rely on his own

　　effort to achieve Buddhahood.

　　若是不這麼樣，整日依賴佛力接引，猶如富家子弟依賴父兄遺業，終會把自己害了，大家應該趕快猛醒啊！

　　If you don”t do this, but instead rely on the Buddha”s power all day long, you are just like the children of rich families who depend on what they inherit from their parents and older brothers. In the end, you only hurt yourself. Everyone should quickly wake up!

　　一九五八年六月十六日下午開示

　　A talk given on the afternoon of June 16, 1958

《念佛如同打電話 Reciting the Buddhas Name Is Like Making a Phone Call》全文閱讀結束。