19) 老實持名

　　True and Earnest Buddha Recitation

　　To eschew wealth and fame, to avoid showing off one”s capacities, but merely to practice sincerely – this is something very few can achieve.

　　The ancients taught that it is difficult to find a “dull and ignorant” Zen practitioner, even if we go out of our way. Yet, a practitioner of Buddha Recitation need only worry that he is not “dull and ignorant”.

　　The two words “true and earnest” are a straight highway leading to the Pure Land. Why

　　 It is because when Buddha Recitation is true and earnest, there are only the words “Amitabha Buddha”, and not a single deluded thought.

　　既不求名利，又不逞才能，老實修行，最爲難得，祖師雲：參禅中覓個癡鈍人不可 得，今之念佛人，正患其不癡鈍耳？！老實二字，是生西方之一直大路，何以故？老 實者，不于阿彌陀佛四字外，添一毫妄想也。

　　Commentary

　　The practitioner who singlemindedly recites the Buddha”s name, is not attached to any external realm, is unmoved by any disturbances and sees everything as not connected in any way to himself – such a person may appear outwardly as extremely naive, “dull and ignorant”. However, he is precisely the one who is truly enlightened, truly pure. Such a person is not easy to find!

　　Furthermore, according to Pure Land teaching: “without singleminded recitation, it is impossible to achieve re-birth in the Pure Land.” With singlemindedness, myriad conditions are left behind and only the Buddha”s name remains. At that time, the practitioner”s m ind and the Buddha Mind are in unison; the Western Pure Land is not separate from the practitioner. There is no need to probe deep or ponder far, for the Buddha”s realm is in front of us. The Pure land path is truly unique!