14) 忙中持名

　　Buddha Recitation While Otherwise Occupied

　　[In the midst of a busy life], if you can recite the Buddha”s name once, recite it once; if you can recite it ten times, recite it ten times. In the midst of endless activities, if you have but one moment of leisure, you need only let go of everything and recite the Buddha”s name clearly and distinctly.

　　The famous Chinese poet Su Tung-p”o wrote the fo lowing verse: Recite the Buddha”s name while walking;

　　Recite the Buddha”s name while seated. Even when busy as an arrow,

　　Always recite the Buddha”s name.

　　The ancients practiced Buddha Recitation with such eagerness indeed! Truly, they should be emulated.

　　能一句則一句，能十句則十句，但使百忙中，得片刻之暇，便可放下身心，朗然持 誦。白樂天詩曰：行也阿彌陀，坐也阿彌陀，假饒忙似箭，不離阿彌陀。古人之用 心，亦可見矣！

　　Commentary

　　There are people who are so busy with daily occupations that they can scarcely find time to recite the Buddha”s name. Nevertheless, amidst a hundred different activities, there must be one or two moments of free time. During these moments, we should immediately begin to recite the Buddha”s name, rather than letting the mind wander aimlessly, [reminiscing] and suffering needlessly. Handle the affairs of this world as they come and let go of them afterward. Why harp on them and be disturbed

　　 Why not use the time to recite the Buddha”s name and keep the m ind at rest

　　 Many people waste endless hours in idle chatter, bringing countless troubles and vexations upon themselves. Sometimes, a few sentences uttered thoughtlessly in pleasant conversation are enough to cause worry and affliction, suffering and tears!