5) 高声持名

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.

若神智昏沉时，或妄想纷起时，振作精神，高声念佛，到得数百声，自换一番境界， 且耳根最灵，外缘易入，声感心动，杂想炽然；惟高声念佛，能护耳根而启心灵，心 听自声，声声快足，一切闲是闲非，自然罢遣也。

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.