Shorter Works

Hymn of the Two Gateways of Entrance and Emergence (3)

Master Tao-ch'o of Hsuan-chung Temple

Master Tao-ch'o explains:
The Great Collection Sutra states that in the last dharma-age,
Out of all sentient beings who seek to perform practices and accomplish the way,
Not one will gain realization.

To awaken aspiration and perform practices in this world
Is the Path of Sages and is termed self-power.
The present is the last dharma-age; it is the world of the five defilements;
The Pure Land way alone affords passage.

Wrongdoing and evil acts in the present age
Are incessant and are like violent winds and torrential rains.
Through the universal Primal Vow we are brought to say the Name;
This Name is for the sake of the sentient beings of defilement and evil;

Hence, the Buddhas all encourage us to follow the Pure Land path.
Though we may commit evil all our lives,
Shinjin of three aspects in correspondence [with the Name] is the mind that is single;
The mind that is single is the genuine mind and is in accord with reality.

Any assertion that we will not be born is clearly baseless.
We necessarily attain birth in the land of happiness,
And thereupon realize that birth-and-death is itself great nirvana.
This is the path of easy practice; it is termed Other Power.