37) 即教即佛持名

　　Sutras are Buddha

　　The entire Buddhist canon comes from the M ind; if the Mind is not Buddha, the teachings are just a waste. However, is there anyone”s mind which is not Buddha

　　 [If so], it is only because he does not stop and think.

　　Mahayana cultivators who have studied the Dharma must have read the Surangama Sutra, and among them there are some who belittle the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta while praising the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. A tiny bit of attachment on this point is enough to plant a seed of Birth and Death. All their learning, farsighted views and profound understanding serve merely to strengthen the seeds of suffering; they are of no help at all toward the goal of escaping Birth and Death. I urge you to let go quickly, let go of everything and concentrate on Buddha Recitation, seeking rebirth in the Pure Land and the company of Amitabha Buddha.

　　Otherwise, if you cannot let go of these attachments immediately, then dedicate the virtues of studying and explaining the sutras toward rebirth in the Pure Land and fulfillment of the Four Great Vows. This will bring rebirth in the Pure Land. If, moreover, you can spread the Pure Land teachings, making others understand the benefits of Buddha Recitation, then even a wink or a thought will adorn the Pure

　　Land. Thus, there is no doubt that your rebirth will be at the highest Lotus Grade!(22)

　　一大藏經，皆從心起，心若無佛，教亦徒然。然心中亦何人無佛哉？自不念耳！教下 未有不看楞嚴者也，看楞嚴未有不輕勢至而重觀音者也。即此一見已成生死根本，縱 學遍種種知能，不過滋潤苦芽，生死關頭總不得力，願速放下，往生西方親觀彌陀。 若不能放下，即將此學經演說功德回向西方，發四宏願，亦不唐捐。若弘揚淨土一 門，詳說念佛功德，則舉目動念，皆是莊嚴西方，上品往生，更複何疑？

　　Commentary

　　In the Surangama Sutra, the Bodhisattva Mahasthama cultivates the samadhi of Buddha Recitation to achieve omniscience, while the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara cultivates the faculty of hearing and also achieves omniscience. Both Bodhisattvas achieve the same state of omniscience. However, when asked by Buddha Sakyamuni to choose among the different methods of cultivati on, the Bodhisattva Manjusri selected the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara”s practice as supreme. To misunderstand or become attached to this teaching, and think that Avalokitesvara is above Mahasthama, is contrary to the spirit of the sutra. It is because of this attachment that discrimination arises – the thought that this Bodhisattva is higher and that Bodhisattva is lower. This attachment stems [ultimately] from attachment to self, which has existed since time immemorial. Such attachment clouds the mind, making it easy for deluded views to develop. It thus creates suffering in the Self-Mind and this suffering lasts for-ever, time without end. How dangerous, indeed!

　　If you study, understand and lecture well but are limited to that study and understanding, with the m ind pided, attached to language, words and phrases, how different are you from a silkworm stuck in its cocoon, ultimately dy ing within that very cocoon!

　　Is it not better to make every effort to adorn the Pure Land, or to fo low the true and earnest approach of Buddha Recitation, rather than discourse pompously upon the pros or cons of this method or that

　　 The latter can only entangle your pure thoughts and is of no help in the Great Matter of Birth and Death.

　　Moreover, if you exercise all your understanding and abilities to propagate Pure Land, or to extol the merits of Buddha Recitation far and wide – using skillful means to

　　urge people of all capacities to practice the Buddha Recitation Samadhi – then, truly, your rebirth in the Pure Land will not be that far off!