1) 护意根持名

Buddha Recitation and the Mind

Having made up your m ind to engage in Pure Land practice by reciting the Buddha’s name, you should not dwell on sundry good or bad actions (1) once they have been performed. In other words, everyday activities should be carried out in a matter-of- fact way, and once finished, be let go.(2) Do not hold on to them – or they will disturb your peace of mind.

In fact, the reason you fail to let go of sundry good or bad actions is that your m ind has not yet been tamed. If you have recited the Buddha’s name to the point where the mind-ground is bright and clear, the m ind in samadhi has no room for sundry thoughts.

You should realize that Buddha Recitation can turn ordinary persons into sages. It is the most important means of liberation in this world and the worlds beyond.

既以此心念佛，凡一切杂善杂恶之事，皆不必念。即日用应缘万不得已之务，应毕则舍，勿令缠绵，障我心念，且我心念之所以缠绵者，意地用事故也。若念到心地光明时，意地自妙于观察，当知念佛能转凡为圣，为世出世间第一了脱之方。

Commentary

Daily occupations are overly time-consuming. The dusts of the world – layers upon layers of them – cling to our lives. As a result, we cannot be free of speculation and calculation, and too much calculation causes the m ind to churn and be in turmoil; too much turmoil saps our energy and spirit. Therefore, when we realize that this life is fleeting, not permanent – a matter of borrowing and repaying – and return to the spiritual life, everlasting and true, we cannot but let go of false realms to live in the realm of True Suchness. Mundane or sacred, deluded or enlightened – everything is but M ind alone.(3)