5) 高聲持名

　　Reciting Aloud

　　When your m ind is in a state of torpor or when delusive thoughts arise unchecked, compose yourself and recite the Buddha”s name aloud a few hundred times. You will then natura ly experience a pure, peaceful state. This is because the faculty of hearing is very keen and therefore people are easily influenced by external factors which disturb the m ind and lead to errant, delusive thoughts. Thus, you need to recite aloud to control the faculty of hearing and enlighten the mind. When the m ind hears only its own sounds, each sound in its totality fo lowing upon the one before, all thoughts of right and wrong, what should and should not be done, are naturally abandoned.

　　若神智昏沈時，或妄想紛起時，振作精神，高聲念佛，到得數百聲，自換一番境界， 且耳根最靈，外緣易入，聲感心動，雜想熾然；惟高聲念佛，能護耳根而啓心靈，心 聽自聲，聲聲快足，一切閑是閑非，自然罷遣也。

　　Commentary

　　When we are exhausted and sluggish, we tend to doze off or feel as if something were pressing on both body and mind. If we engage in pure, silent recitation at such times, our lethargy can only increase. Therefore, it is better to recite aloud, pondering that the Buddha”s name originates from the Self-Mind and returns to the Self-Mind through the ears in an unending circle. We should continue to practice in this manner until the m ind clears up, the demon of drowsiness disappears and only Buddha Recitation remains, clear and distinct. Only then should we stop.