31) 鏡中持名

　　Recitation in the Nature of the Self-Mind

　　As the sound of the Self-Mind surrounds you and the light of the Self-Mind shines upon you, the Mind-Nature naturally reveals itself. This True M ind is like a huge, round, bright mirror that nothing can obstruct. The Ten Directions, the Three Periods of Time, our-selves, the Buddhas and sentient beings, the cycle of suffering in the

　　impure world, the lotus seat in the Pure Land – all are but images in the mirror. Thus, to recite aloud is to recite in the light, to recite in the mirror; it is neither the same nor different. This is the ultimate auspicious realm, completely free of the deluded mind. You should strive with all your might to attain it.

　　心聲旋繞，心光煥發，心體自然披露矣！夫此一真心，如大圓鏡，洞達無遮，十方叁 世我佛衆生、濁世苦輪、淨邦蓮萼，皆鏡中影也。聲中即是光中，光中即是鏡中，此 是最勝境，能永滅心垢，宜加意勤習之。

　　Commentary

　　The Mind-Nature is intrinsica ly ever pure (silent and still), but its manifestations are manifold (reflecting and shining). Once we realize that the totality of these manifestations are not separate from the unchanging Self-Nature, then Mind,

　　Buddhas and sentient beings, intrinsically one, become empty, bright and unimpeded. Anyone who can practice Buddha Recitation to that level, must have exceptionally wholesome roots. The myriad phenomena are but images in the mirror, intrinsically non-existent, born and disappearing through causes and conditions. What influence can they have on the unchanging, unborn and undying nature of the True Mind

　　 To internalize this truth is to escape the restrictive perimeters of space and time.