Cultivate Various Approaches Diligently
於諸善事，心不懈退。
立志堅強，而離怯弱。
當念過去久遠劫來，受一切輪迴之大苦，受人身而虛度，無有利益，是故應勤修諸功德，自利利他，速離眾苦。
若人雖有修行的信心，然從累世以來的無明，造多罪惡業障，因而為邪魔所惱亂，或為世間之人事物種種牽纏，或為病苦所惱，故有如是等眾多障礙！
是故應當勇猛精勤，晝夜六時念佛，禮拜諸佛，誠心懺悔。行善積德，迴向菩提，常不休廢，如此精勤，善根增長。此為明進相也，行者先令善心不懈，立志堅強，以為精進之本。
禮佛者，歸依最勝，對重障之機，示以除障方便。誠心之下，別除四障：
一、除惡業障→懺悔
二、除謗法障→勸請
三、除嫉妒他障→隨喜
四、除樂三有之障→迴向菩提
此四障，令行人不發善行、不趣菩提，故四障治盡，善根增長也。在念念當下，令思惟策進，修善無疲。
與大眾共勉 吉祥
資料來源：心靈甘露(四)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。
Cultivate Various Approaches Diligently
The heart should not withdraw from all kinds of good deeds.
Make up a strong determination and stay away from timidity.
We should keep in mind that in the past countless kalpas we have greatly suffered reincarnations and have lived the human lives in vain without benefitting anyone. So we have to diligently cultivate the merits to benefit both ourselves and others and get rid of all sufferings quickly.
Even though people have confidence in cultivation, they still have many obstacles such as the ignorance from the past lifetimes, interference by devils, disturbance by people, matters, and objects in the mundane world, and diseases.
Therefore, we should be bravely diligent, be mindful of the Buddhas day and night, worship the Buddhas, and sincerely repent. Moreover, we should do good deeds to accumulate virtues and turn them toward Bodhi continuously and diligently to increase the roots of goodness. These are the bright, progressive forms, and practitioners should persist in their good intentions and make up a strong determination as the basis of cultivation.
For those who worship Buddhas, to rely on Buddhas is the most magnificent thing. For those with severe hindrances, there are some ways to get rid of them:
- To repent can help eradicate bad karmic hindrances.
- To persuade others into doing good deeds can help eradicate the hindrance of slandering dharmas.
- To identify with and be happy about others’ good deeds can help eradicate the hindrance of being jealous of others.
- To turn toward Bodhi can help eradicate the hindrance of taking pleasure in the Three Bhavas.
The above four hindrances may stop practitioners from doing good deeds and entering Bodhi. So, as long as they are eradicated, the roots of goodness will increase. At the moment of thinking, the thought should be improved and the goodness be diligently cultivated.
Let’s encourage each other. Auspiciousness to everybody!
Source: Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. IV), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.