44) 難中持名

　　Buddha Recitation in Time of Calamity

　　If you remember to practice Buddha Recitation in time of calamity, you will receive a wonderful response. Take a country suffering invasion or a village decimated by a plague. In both places, Buddha Recitation should be practiced steadfastly. If one person recites, one per-son is at peace; if a hundred persons recite, a hundred are at peace. It is not that the Buddha is being partial, but rather that he always appears in the equal, non-discriminating light… the light of the Buddha coming to protect us,

　　the Dharma-protecting deities rescuing us – we will naturally escape danger and calamity. Do not doubt this.

　　凡難中有發心念佛者，必有奇應。雖遍地幹戈、一鄉疫厲，而求佛呵護者，一即一 安，百即百安，非佛之有私也，亦平等光中無心而應也。何以故？動念發聲，覺阿彌 陀佛光明住我頂上，則自然念念具足，念念堅固，念念長久，佛光所加，吉神擁護， 自能離難，勿轉念也。

　　Commentary

　　Some people may ask: how can reciting the Buddha”s name eliminate calamities

　　 They ask because they are not earnest or are doubtful about obtaining a response. These very doubts show why they do not obtain favorable results. You should realize that when we think only of Buddha Recitation and nothing else, our thoughts transcend body and mind. If such pure thoughts are stretched out [over hours and days…], what suffering can affect us

　　 There is a great deal of significance to the saying:

　　A good response is due to the self; Non-response is also due to the self.

　　If one person, then many persons begin to recite the Buddha”s name, they are abandoning ev il thoughts for good thoughts. If these good thoughts fo lo w one after another without end, what disaster cannot be eradicated, what suffering cannot be dispelled

　　Furthermore, the sutras record ten specific benefits of reciting the Buddha”s name… I urge practitioners to strengthen their faith and redouble their efforts.