Zhu dao ren fa, Zhù dào rén fǎ: 1 definition

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

助道人法 [zhu dao ren fa]—Principles for Supporters of the Path — [Terminology] This further explains the principles for those who aid practitioners of Nianfo (念佛 [nian fu], Buddha-recitation): "There are three such principles:

First, one must skillfully understand the inner and outer disciplines, and respectfully serve those who can remove obstacles. As the Great Treatise (大論 [da lun]) says: 'Rain does not stay on mountaintops; it invariably flows down to lower places. If a person is arrogant and self-important, the Dharma water (法水 [fa shui]) will not enter. But if one respects a virtuous teacher, then merit (功德 [gong de]) will accrue to them.'

Second, one must, like fellow practitioners (同行 [tong xing]), together brave dangers, and even at the approach of death (臨終 [lin zhong]), mutually encourage each other. The Lotus Sutra (法華 [fa hua]) says: 'A good spiritual friend (善智識 [shan zhi shi]) is a great cause and condition.'

Third, one should constantly uphold, read, and study the teachings that correspond to Nianfo (念佛相應之教文 [nian fu xiang ying zhi jiao wen]). A verse (偈 [ji]) from the Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sūtra (般舟經 [ban zhou jing]) says: 'This Samadhi Sutra (三昧經 [san mei jing]) is the true word of the Buddha. Even if one hears of this sutra from afar, for the sake of the Dharma path, one should go to listen and receive it, and single-mindedly recite it without ever abandoning it.'

Question: What kind of texts (教文 [jiao wen]) correspond to Nianfo?

Answer: For clearly expounding the visualization practices of the Western Pure Land (西方觀行 [xi fang guan xing]) and the nine grades of beings and their resulting states (九品行果 [jiu pin xing guo]), nothing surpasses the Contemplation Sutra (觀無量壽經 [guan wu liang shou jing]). For explaining Amitābha's original vows (彌陀本願 [mi tuo ben yuan]) and the detailed aspects of Sukhavati (極樂細相 [ji le xi xiang]), nothing surpasses the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life (無量壽經 [wu liang shou jing]). For elucidating the auspicious marks of all Buddhas (諸佛相好 [zhu fu xiang hao]) and eliminating sins through visualization of forms (觀相滅罪 [guan xiang mie zui]), nothing surpasses the Sutra of Visualization of the Buddha Samadhi (觀佛三昧經 [guan fu san mei jing]). For explaining the forms of the physical body (色身 [se shen]) and Dharma body (法身 [fa shen]), and the benefits of Samadhi (三昧勝利 [san mei sheng li]), nothing surpasses the Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sūtra and the Sutra of Nianfo Samadhi (念佛三昧經 [nian fu san mei jing]). For clarifying methods of practice (修行方法 [xiu xing fang fa]), nothing surpasses the aforementioned three sutras, along with the Ten Birth Sutra (十往生經 [shi wang sheng jing]) and the Daśabhūmika Vibhāṣā Śāstra (十住毘婆沙論 [shi zhu pi po sha lun]). For daily recitation, nothing surpasses the Amitābha Sutra (阿彌陀經 [a mi tuo jing]). For concluding verses and general explanations, nothing surpasses the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life and the Upadeśa for the Vow of Rebirth (優婆提舍願生偈 [you po ti she yuan sheng ji]) (also known as the Treatise on Rebirth (往生論 [wang sheng lun]) or Pure Land Treatise (淨土論 [jing tu lun])).

Methods of practice are mostly found in Mohe Zhiguan (摩訶止觀 [mo he zhi guan]), Master Shandao's (善導和尚 [shan dao he shang]) Gate of Contemplation and Recitation (觀念法門 [guan nian fa men]), and the Six-period Worship and Praise (六時禮讚 [liu shi li zan]). Explanations through questions and answers (問答料簡 [wen da liao jian]) are mostly found in Tiantai's (天台 [tian tai]) Ten Doubts (十疑 [shi yi]), Master Daochuo's (道綽和尚 [dao chuo he shang]) Collection on the Land of Peace and Happiness (安樂集 [an le ji]), Cien's (慈恩 [ci en]) Essential Pointers for the Western Pure Land (西方要訣 [xi fang yao jue]), and Master Huaigan's (懷感和尚 [huai gan he shang]) Treatise on Various Doubts (群疑論 [qun yi lun]). Records of those reborn (記往生人 [ji wang sheng ren]) are mostly found in Jiacai's (迦才 [jia cai]) Pure Land Treatise (淨土論 [jing tu lun]) and the Auspicious Response Biographies (瑞應傳 [rui ying chuan])."

My humble opinion (愚案 [yu an]) is that for other selected essential texts of the Pure Land (選拔淨土之要文 [xuan ba jing tu zhi yao wen]) and collected verses and Dharma sayings of Nianfo practitioners (採集念佛者之偈頌法語 [cai ji nian fu zhe zhi ji song fa yu]), nothing surpasses Zongxiao of Siming (四明宗曉 [si ming zong xiao]) from the Song Dynasty's Collected Writings on the Land of Bliss (樂邦文類 [le bang wen lei]).