..续本文上一页 reborn there. If we want to turn the ship of kindness around and come back to save living beings on a vast scale, we can also recite and obtain the response of returning to the Saha world, east of the Land of Ultimate Bliss. In general, we can recite and obtain the response of going to any Dharma Realm. So the verse says, “going east or west as you please.” It is said,

　　When one wish is fulfilled,

　　all wishes are fulfilled.

　　When we are at ease in one place,

　　we are at ease everywhere.

　　所以我们学佛，处处要真诚，不然便是虚伪，虚伪便会「开谎花，不结果」，所以学佛切记不要自己骗自己。

　　Therefore in studying Buddhism, we must always be sincere. If we are false, then we are nothing but “sterile blossoms that don”t bear fruit.” So in the practice of Buddhism, take care not to cheat yourself.

　　其次，古人也说：「君子求诸己，小人求诸人。」我们不可有依赖心，应知感应是自己所招，并非从外得来的。有人说：「念佛得生净土，是仗佛力所接引。」此话可以说是对，也可以说是不对，为什么？因为「接引」这个说法，只是对机而言；因为众生的贪，都是希望能用力少而收效大，好像放高利贷，放出的少，而收入的多，所以圣人随机应变，说出了佛力接引的话，目的是叫一切众生努力去念。其实他们念佛、菩萨的名号而能往生净土，也是全凭自己的力量，怎么说呢？

　　Furthermore, the ancients have said, “The superior person makes demands on himself. The petty person makes demands on others.” We should not be dependent on others. We should recognize that responses result from our own efforts; they don”t come from outside. Someone objects, “When we recite the Buddha”s name to be reborn in the Pure Land, we rely on the Buddha”s power to lead us there.” You could say that statement is right, but you could also say it”s wrong. Why

　　 Saying that the Buddha leads us there is only a provisional explanation spoken for greedy living beings who hope to put in a little effort and obtain a lot. This is like loan sharks that give a little and take in a lot. The sages accommodated the potentials of living beings and said that the Buddha”s power leads us, with the goal of making living beings recite vigorously. In reality, when they recite the names of the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, they are relying on their own strength to obtain rebirth in the Pure Land. How is this the case

　　念佛是佛替你念的吗？你念菩萨的那个念，是菩萨生出来的吗？如果不是，又岂能说是仗他力？譬如佛菩萨放光加被你，这也是你自己念佛菩萨的功德所感。再拿打电话作一个例子，如果你自己不打电话，又有谁来接你的电话？所以念佛也是这个道理。

　　When you recite the Buddha”s name, does the Buddha recite for you

　　 Does the thought of reciting the Bodhisattvas” names come from the Bodhisattvas

　　 If not, then how can you say you rely on an external strength

　　 For example, when the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bestow aid by shining their light on you, that”s also in response to your efforts in reciting the names of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Consider the analogy of a phone call again. If you don”t make the call, then who”s going to answer the phone

　　 The same principle applies to reciting the Buddha”s name.

　　其实有这种希望仗佛力接引而生净土的心，就是贪心，就是依赖，是要不得的。我们修行要仗自力，打起精神，鼓起勇气，勇猛精进，应知果报并不是人家能够赐与的，所以念佛也可以说不是仗佛力所接引。

　　Actually, hoping the Buddha”s power will lead us to rebirth in the Pure Land is just greed and dependency, and we don”t want that. In cultivation, we want to rely on our own strength, rouse our spirits, pluck up courage, and vigorously advance. Know that rewards and retributions cannot be given to you by others. Therefore, when we recite the Buddha”s name, we”re not really relying on the Buddha”s power to lead us.

　　古人又说：「将相本无种，男儿当自强。」我们学佛，也要挺起胸膛来这样说：

　　佛陀本无种，

　　众生当自强。

　　The ancients also said, “No man is a general or prime minister by birth. One must rely on his own effort to obtain such a position.” We who study Buddhism should stand up tall and say,

　　No one is a Buddha by birth.

　　A living being must rely on his own

　　effort to achieve Buddhahood.

　　若是不这么样，整日依赖佛力接引，犹如富家子弟依赖父兄遗业，终会把自己害了，大家应该赶快猛醒啊！

　　If you don”t do this, but instead rely on the Buddha”s power all day long, you are just like the children of rich families who depend on what they inherit from their parents and older brothers. In the end, you only hurt yourself. Everyone should quickly wake up!

　　一九五八年六月十六日下午开示

　　A talk given on the afternoon of June 16, 1958

《念佛如同打电话 Reciting the Buddhas Name Is Like Making a Phone Call》全文阅读结束。