20) 喜慶持名

　　Reciting the Buddha”s Name When Happy

　　Happiness derives either from our interaction with other human beings or from favorable events. Although the causes may be trivial, this kind of happiness is part of the human condition. You should realize, however, that such happiness is ephemeral – it is false, not true. Use those moments of happiness to “return the lig ht inward”

　　and recite the Buddha”s name. You should then avail yourself of the Buddha”s light and within the context of those joyful events, abandon your negative thoughts to cultivate good deeds continuously for the rest of your life. You will then surely be reborn in the Pure Land, a great happiness indeed!

　　或因人而喜，或因事而慶，雖細小之端，皆人生樂境也。當知此樂虛幻，不能久常， 乘此好時，回光念佛，則仗佛光明，于順境去多少惡念，吉祥連綿，如意修行，直至 命終，往生極樂不亦大快也哉！

　　Commentary

　　During our lifetime, we experience few moments of happiness but many of suffering. Even when we are happy, that happiness is ephemeral, lasting but a moment and then giv ing way to the numerous sufferings which torment sentient beings. Therefore, what is enduring about that happiness, that should make us proud, grasping and clinging to it

　　What should really make us happy is the pure joy of the Self-Mind, which is true and everlasting. The Pure Land of Amitabha awaits the pure in Mind. Rebirth in that realm is indeed the ultimate joy.