如是我闻时,佛告须菩提,易筋功已竟,方可事于此。此名静夜钟,不碍人间事。白日任匆匆,
务忙衣与食。三餐食既竟,放风水火讫。抵暮见明星,燃灯照暗室。晚习功课毕,将息临卧具。大众成
鼾睡,忘却生与死。明者独惊醒,黑夜暗修为。抚体叹今昔,过去少一日。无常来迅速,身同少水鱼。显然
如何救,福慧何日足?四恩未能报,四缘未能离,四智未现前,三身未皈一。默观法界中,四生三有备。
六根六尘连,五蕴并三途。天人阿修罗,六道各异趋。二谛未能融,方度未能具。见见非是见,无明未
能息。道眼未精明,眉毛未落地。如何知见离,得了涅 意。若能见非见,见所不能及。蜗角大千界,
眼纳须弥。昏昏醉梦间,光阴两俱失。流浪于生死,苦海无边际。如来大慈悲,演此为洗髓。须俟易
筋后,每于夜静时。两目内含光,鼻中运息微。腹中觉空虚,正宜纳清煦。朔望及二弦,二分并二至。
子午静守功,卯酉干沐浴。一切为心造,炼神竟虚静。常惺惺不昧,莫被睡魔拘。夜夜常如此,日日须行
持。惟虚能容纳,饱食非所宜。谦和保护身,恶厉宜紧避。假借可修真,四大须保固。柔弱可持身,暴
戾灾害逼。渡河须用筏,到岸方弃诸。造化生成理,从微而至着。一言透天机,渐进细寻思。久久自圆
满,未可一蹴企。成功有定限,三年九载余。从容在一纪,决不逾此期。心空自身化,随意任所之。
一切无挂碍,圆通观自在。隐显度众生,弹指超无始。待报四重恩,
永灭三途苦。后人得此经,奉持为宗旨。择人相授受,叮咛莫轻视。
Thus have I heard. At that time, the Buddha said to Subhuti: "Only after the completion of Yijin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) can one engage in this practice. This is named Jingye Zhong (Bell of the Quiet Night); it does not hinder worldly affairs. During the day, let time rush by busily; attend to clothing and food. After finishing three meals, cease water and fire labors. When dusk arrives and the morning star appears, light a lamp to illuminate the dark room. After evening exercises are completed, prepare bedding for rest. The masses fall into snoring sleep, forgetting birth and death. Only the wise remain alert, cultivating secretly in the dark night. Touching the body, sighing at past and present, each passing day diminishes. Impermanence comes swiftly; the body is like a fish short of water. Clearly, how to save oneself? When will merit and wisdom be sufficient? The Four Graces cannot be repaid, the Four Conditions cannot be left behind, the Four Wisdoms do not yet appear, the Three Bodies have not returned to One. Silently observing the Dharma Realm, the Four Births and Three Existences are complete. Six Roots connect with Six Dusts, Five Aggregates merge with Three Paths. Devas, humans, and Asuras, the Six Realms each trend differently. Two Truths cannot yet be integrated, Fangdu (Method of Crossing Over) is not yet complete. Seeing what is seen is not true seeing; Avidya (Ignorance) has not ceased. The Eye of the Dao is not yet sharp; eyebrows have not touched the ground (metaphor for unattained realization). How to transcend perception? To attain the meaning of Nirvana. If one can see the 'non-seeing,' that which ordinary seeing cannot reach. Within the tip of a snail's horn lies the Great Thousand World; within the eye rests Mount Sumeru. In a state of drunken drowsiness, both ends of time are lost. Wandering in Samsara, the Sea of Suffering has no bounds. Thus did the Tathagata, out of great compassion, expound this as Xisui Jing (Marrow Washing Classic). It must await the completion of Yijin Jing, practicing every time when the night is quiet. Eyes contain inner light; breath through the nose is subtle. The abdomen feels empty, suitable for receiving pure and warm Qi. On the days of New Moon and Full Moon, Upper and Lower Quarter Moons, Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, Summer and Winter Solstices. Zi and Wu hours: guard stillness; Mao and You hours: dry bathing (maintain purity without active practice). All things are created by the mind; refining Spirit ultimately leads to emptiness and stillness. Always remain awake and clear, do not be bound by the Demon of Sleep. Do this every night, practice daily. Only emptiness can accommodate; being full is not suitable. Be humble and protect the body, avoid evil and malignant influences. Borrow the false to cultivate the true; the Four Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind) must be secured. Softness sustains the body; violence invites disaster. To cross the river, one needs a raft; only upon reaching the shore should one discard it. The principle of creation develops from the minute to the manifest. One word reveals the secret of Heaven; proceed gradually and think carefully. With long practice, perfection will naturally arise; do not expect to achieve it in one step. Success has a fixed limit: more than three years and nine years. Take your time within one Ji (12-year cycle), never exceeding this period. When the mind is empty, the self transforms; follow desires freely. Have no hindrances in all things; perceive freely and comfortably. Manifest or hidden, save sentient beings; in a snap of fingers, transcend beginningless kalpas. Repay the Four Heavy Graces; forever extinguish the suffering of the Three Evil Paths. Those who obtain this scripture in later ages, take it as your guiding principle. Choose worthy persons to transmit it; earnestly admonish them not to slight it."