蘇州靈巖山首座，係江西人。參禪有得，轉而棲心淨土，持名念佛，於靈巖山閉生死關，志生安養。曾著有《入香光室》，提倡念佛，感得燈降舍利數十粒，一時傳為奇蹟，影響發心念佛者甚廣。法師慈風和雨，藹然可親，真修實證，道貌岸然。後示寂於靈巖山，永垂懿範，足堪矜式。
這位法師學問很好，寫的文章也非常通順，他雖然是一個參禪的人，但是學問還有相當的造詣。「蘇州靈巖山首座」：他在靈巖山擔任首座。他這個首座是閉關的首座，不是出來帶著大家修行的，他就自己修行的。「係江西人」：他是江西的人。
「參禪有得」：他參禪也是開過悟的；開過悟以後，就老實念佛。所以「轉而棲心淨土」：棲心，就是想把那個心住到淨土上，「持名念佛」：他就專持阿彌陀佛的名號，六字洪名。「於靈巖山閉生死關」：在靈巖山那個地方閉生死關。他進了關以後，永遠也不再開關了，不再出來到旁的地方去，就是在那兒閉關，就一輩子閉生死關了。「志生安養」：他志願就要生在極樂世界去。
「曾著有」：他也寫作，在我所知有一本叫「入香光室」：這本書是提倡念佛的，因為他講得很徹底念佛的法門，所以「感得燈降舍利」：燈上降下來舍利，「數十粒」：幾十粒。
「一時傳為奇蹟」：當時一般人認為這是很奇怪的一件事。「影響發心念佛者甚廣」：於是乎，都覺得這念佛法門是很不可思議的，大家都發心念佛了。
「法師慈風和雨」：這位法師這種風度是很慈悲的，也很和氣的。「藹然可親」：對人都沒有什麼隔膜，很藹然可親的。
「真修實證」：他注重真的修行，實實在在的證。證，他也注重這個。「道貌岸然」：他這種修行，誠於中，形於外，所以他因為裡面都乾淨了，外面也令人看著很恭敬的樣子。
「後示寂於靈巖山」：他在靈巖山圓寂了。「永垂懿範」：永遠都作後世一個好的模範，好的法則。「足堪矜式」：大家都可以用他作一個好的榜樣。
偈曰：
蘇州靈巖藏龍象 印光老人建道場
了公掩關修淨土 海眾雲集念佛堂
入香光室感舍利 出生死輪赴蓮邦
悟無生忍登上品 不違本誓倒慈航
「蘇州靈巖藏龍象」：蘇州靈巖是藏龍臥虎的地方，很多善知識都到那個地方去修行。「印光老人建道場」：所以印光老法師就在那兒建立一個淨土的道場––念佛道場。
「了公掩關修淨土」：了然老法師在這兒閉生死關，專修淨土。
「海眾雲集念佛堂」：海眾，就是各處來的人，好像大海裡面那麼多的人，清淨大海眾菩薩都雲集到這地方，雲來集到念佛堂，大家一起來念佛。
「入香光室感舍利」：《入香光室》，他作這本書。感舍利，燈降舍利。「出生死輪赴蓮邦」：那麼由這個，他能了生脫死，脫生死的輪迴。赴蓮邦，到極樂世界蓮華那個國土去。
「悟無生忍登上品」：他能悟無生法忍，不見有少法生，不見有少法滅，忍可於心這種的功夫。登上品，他是得到上品上生。
「不違本誓倒慈航」：他不違背他以前所發的願：成佛了之後，還要教化眾生。所以他就生到極樂世界成佛了，還要倒駕慈航來到娑婆世界救度眾生了。
徵求義務教師
萬佛聖城長期徵求大、中、小學各科系義務教師。歡迎有能力、肯發心、不計較，能遵守聖城六大宗旨：不爭、不貪、不求、不自私、不自利、不妄語，願放棄城市生活，投入淡泊而充實的精神生活者。我們也需要體育、童軍、園藝、工藝（雕塑）及住宿輔導等人才。不拘年齡、性別與國籍，有志從事義務教學工作者，請與姜吉甫教授洽談。
聯絡辦法：萬佛聖城Talmage, CA 95481-0217 U.S.A., Tel: (707) 462-0939 信封請註明「應徵義務教師」。（聖城歡迎義工參與服務，不限學歷）
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The Master was a first-seated monk at Lingyan Mountain Monastery of Suzhou Province. Already an accomplished Chan cultivator, he then aspired towards the Dharma-door of Pure Land and upheld the Buddha’s name. He entered the “seclusion of life and death” at Lingyan Mountain, and resolved to be born in the Pure Land. He wrote the volume Entering the Room of Fragrant Light, which promotes recitation of the Buddha’s name. From that he obtained a response whereby several tens of sharira fell from his lamp. People were astounded by this miracle, and it inspired many to begin reciting the Buddha’s name. The Dharma Master had an amiable and yielding disposition like that of a gentle breeze and a soft rain. He was also someone who had true cultivation and actual certification, which were attested to by his dignified bearing. The Master entered the stillness at Lingyan Mountain. Forever he will act as a lofty model for us. He is eminently worthy of our esteem.
This Dharma Master was very learned, and he wrote eloquently. Though he was a Chan cultivator, he had considerable attainment in his learning. The Master was a first-seated monk at Lingyan Mountain Monastery of Suzhou Province. He was a senior monk who entered seclusion. He did not come out to lead the assembly in cultivation; instead, he practiced on his own. He was a native of Jiangxi Province.
Already an accomplished Chan cultivator, he had become enlightened through his Chan practice. He then aspired towards the Dharma Door of Pure Land and upheld the Buddha's name. After his enlightenment, he faithfully recited Amitabha Buddha's great name of six characters (of Chinese transliteration), "Na Mo A-Mi-Tuo-Fo." He entered "the seclusion of life and death" at Lingyan Mountain, and resolved to be born in the Pure Land. Having entered seclusion, he never came out again nor did he ever go anywhere else. Throughout his entire life, he remained in seclusion. He was determined to be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
He wrote the volume "Entering the Room of Fragrant Light." As far as I know there is this one book, which promotes the Dharma of Reciting the Buddha's Name. Since he had thoroughly expounded the Dharma door of Reciting the Buddha's name, he obtained a response whereby several tens of sharira fell from his lamp. People were astounded by this miracle. They thought it remarkable. Subsequently, it had vastly inspired many to bring forth the resolve to recite the Buddha's name. Therefore, many people were convinced that the Dharma door of reciting the Buddha's name was inconceivable. Thereupon they all resolved to recite the Buddha's name, too.
The Dharma Master had an amiable and yielding disposition like that of a gentle breeze and a soft rain. He had a very gentle, compassionate manner. He was very compatible and easy to get along with. He was also someone who had true cultivation and actual certification, which were attested to by his dignified bearing. He stressed true cultivation and emphasized actual certification. His external bearing was the result of the level of cultivation he had achieved. Because he was pure and clean inwardly, outwardly, he inspired those who saw him to bring forth respect.
The Master entered the Stillness at Lingyan Mounain. Forever he will act as a lofty model for us. He will serve as a standard, a good model, for later generations. He is eminently worthy of our esteem. Everyone can look up to him as an inspiring model.
A verse of praise says:
Hidden in Lingyan of Suzhou were dragons and elephants.
The elder master Yinguang erected this wayplace.
Master Liaoran entered seclusion and cultivated the Pure Land Dharma.
The sea-vast assembly gathered like clouds in the Buddha-Recitation Hall.
"Entering the room of Fragrant Light" beckoned the appearance of sharira.
Transcending the wheel of birth and death, he arrived at the land of lotuses.
Enlightened to the Patience of Non-production, he ascended to superior rebirth.
May the Master remember his original vows, and reverse the boat of compassion!
Hidden in Lingyan of Suzhou were dragons and elephants. Lingyan Mountain in Suzhou Province was a place where dragons coiled and tigers crouched. Many Good and Wise Advisors went there to cultivate. The elder master Yinguang erected this way-place. Dharma Master Yinguang built this Pure Land Wayplace— for practicing the Dharma of Buddha recitation.
Master Liaoran entered seclusion and cultivated the Pure Land Dharma. He remained in seclusion until his death, exclusively cultivating the Pure Land Dharma door. The sea-vast assembly gathered like clouds in the Buddha-Recitation Hall. People flocked in from all directions, assembling like a great ocean. The pure sea-like assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas gathered together like clouds in the Buddha-recitation hall. They all came to recite the Buddha's name.
"Entering the room of Fragrant Light" beckoned the appearance of sharira. After the completion of this book, there was a response whereby sharira fell from his lamp. Transcending the wheel of birth and death, he arrived at the land of lotuses. Through Buddha recitation he was able to put an end to birth and death, and go to the realm of lotuses— the Lotus Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Enlightened to Non-production, he ascended to superior rebirth. He enlightened to the Dharma of Non-production, wherein he neither saw the slightest dharma arise nor the slightest dharma cease to be. He attained the skill of being able to endure in his mind. By means of this skill, he attained superior birth of the superior grade.
May the Master remember his original vows, and reverse the boat of compassion! He won't go against his former vows. Having accomplished Buddhahood, he will return to teach and transform living beings. Having been reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss and become a Buddha, he will turn the boat of compassion around, come to the Saha world, and save living beings.
Volunteer Teachers Wanted
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) needs long-term volunteer teachers to teach a variety of courses at the elementary, high school, and university levels. We welcome capable individuals who have a firm resolve, do not crave benefits, and will follow the Six Guidelines of CTTB: not contending, not being greedy, not seeking, not being selfish, not pursuing personal gain, and not lying. People who are ready to leave an urban life-style and want to lead a simple but fulfilling spiritual life are welcome to apply for a volunteer teaching position. We are also looking for people with backgrounds in physical education, gardening, handicrafts, and dormitory counseling. There are no restrictions of age, gender or nationality.
Please contact Prof. Chiang Chi-fu at CTTB, Talmage, CA 95481-0217, U.S.A., Tel: (707) 462-0939. Please write: "Application for Volunteer Teaching" on the envelope. Other volunteers are also welcome to join in the work at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, regardless of their educational backgrounds.
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